Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to modernise Malawi’s transport sector across road, rail, marine and aviation.
Minister of Transport and Public Works Feston Kaupa confirmed the plan in Parliament yesterday, beginning with the takeover of the ageing MV Ilala and other lake services from private operators to restore safety, efficiency and accountability.
The minister said the decision marks the start of a broader reform agenda to revitalise the country’s transport infrastructure.
stable services . | Nation
He said the 74-year-old Ilala will soon be replaced by a new vessel costing $40 million (about K68 billion) to ensure uninterrupted services for passengers and traders on Lake Malawi.
“This will ensure uninterrupted services for passengers and traders who depend on MV Ilala,” said Kaupa, adding that government will also rehabilitate key ports such as Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay and Likoma to complement the new ship and promote safe and reliable lake transport.
He further highlighted efforts to shift bulk cargo from roads to rail and water to preserve road networks and announced plans to expand Malawian Airlines, modernise Kamuzu International Airport into an Airport City, construct a new Northern Region airport, and upgrade main and urban roads including the Mchinji-Mwami and Crossroads- Kanengo stretches.
Responding to the statement, UTM Party Whip Felix Njawala called for better accountability in toll gate funds, citing the deteriorating Blantyre- Lilongwe stretch of the M1 and poor markings on the Crossroads-Kanengo Road.
“The statement on marine and aviation services is promising, but government should explore public– private partnerships to ensure timely completion of projects like the MV Ilala replacement and Airport City,” he said,
Meanwhile, Likoma Islands legislator Charles Chilambula welcomed the plans in an interview, describing them as long overdue for his constituency where unsafe lake travel remains a daily reality.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa described the plans as ambitious and forward-looking but cautioned that implementation would be the real test of success.
On his part, governance analyst Ceaser Kondowe echoed the sentiment, saying, “It’s encouraging that government has finally prioritised replacing the Ilala and modernising airports, but they must walk the talk to deliver on these promises.”
