Motorists have been urged to exercise caution along the M1, particularly the Chiweta section in Rumphi District, where ongoing construction works have been linked to a surge in accidents.
Road Safety Alert Foundation (Rosaf) road safety education and publicity supervisor for the M1 Rehabilitation project Thoko Chenjezi issued the warning on Wednesday after inspecting Section 4 (Kacheche to Chiweta) of the project.
He called on drivers, haulage companies, and their clients to reduce cargo loads during this period to minimise accidents and protect lives.
Said Chenjezi: “We’ve observed that many heavy goods trucks continue to carry full loads despite the challenging Chiweta terrain and construction work. This has led to incidents of trucks sliding back, posing serious safety risks.”
He further said Rosaf has stepped up efforts to educate communities, targeting groups such as schoolchildren, pedestrians, bicycle and motorcycle operators, animal herders, and roadside vendors.
The M1, vital for transporting goods, including fuel, has long been in bad condition despite its significance to the nation’s economy.
Its current reconstruction with support from European Investment Bank (EIB) has brought new challenges with delays and unsafe driving behaviour compounding the problem.
Bwengu Motor Operators’ chairperson Benjamin Mhango described the situation on the Chiweta section as “unbearable”, highlighting the difficulties of navigating potholes and diversions.
In May this year, Minister of Transport and Public Works Jacob Hara said the new look M1 between Lilongwe and the Northern Region will be ready for use in the next two years.
Rehabilitation of the 301-kilometre (km) road split in four lots from Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) junction in Lilongwe to Chiweta in Rumphi was initially projected to cost K118 billion.
Lot one covers the section between KIA junction and Kasungu while second lot two is from Kasungu to Jenda in Mzimba, the third lot runs from Jenda to Mzimba Turn-off and the fourth is from Kacheche to Chiweta.
Lot one covers 102km, lot two is 85.5km, lot three spans over 46.7km and lot four covers 66. 5km.
However, construction works stalled for some months after the 44 percent kwacha devaluation last November which resulted in the upward adjustment of construction materials prices.
