Mangochi Central legislator Victoria Kingstone and Traditional Authority (T/A) Makanjira have welcomed Wednesday’s parliamentary nod for government to borrow $20 million (approximately K36 billion) from the Opec Fund for International Development for the construction of the Makanjira Road in the district.
However, the two have suggested that government would do better by prioritising the Mangochi-Boma-Mpilipili stretch of the same road whose agreement it already signed with Saudi Arabia in 2023.
Said Kingstone: “As one of the MPs in Mangochi, I am happy with this development. The residents of Makanjira have faced numerous challenges due to the poor state of the road,” she said.
“However, I urge the government to demonstrate seriousness and commitment. The funds from Saudi Arabia were secured, yet no progress has been made.”
She emphasised that the road infrastructure in Mangochi remains in poor state, requiring urgent intervention.
“Mangochi is a tourism destination district, but we suffer from poor road network. On several occasions, I have used personal funds to rehabilitate roads in my area, but government support is crucial,” Kingstone added.
T/A Makanjira echoed Kingstone’s concerns, urging government to use the Saudi Arabia funds before securing additional loans.
“While I welcome the Opec loan, I would have preferred if the government had first started construction with the funds from Saudi Arabia,” he said, questioning whether the money is still available.
Similarly, T/A Lulanga suggested that if the Saudi funds are insufficient, the government should at least begin construction and expand the project when more funds become available.
Meanwhile, Asiyatu Hussein, a resident of Ndete in T/A Makanjira, highlighted the challenges faced by locals, especially pregnant women seeking medical care.
“The road construction will be a life-saver. We can’t wait for its completion,” she said.
