The Roads Authority (RA) is in the process of hiring 70 contractors to carry out road maintenance works nationwide.
RA chief executive officer Ammiel Champiti disclosed this on Wednesday on the sidelines of newly-appointed Minister of Transport and Public Works Jappie Mhango familiarisation tour.
He said the contracts, whose award awaits approval from the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) and the minister, are expected to be finalised in February.
He declined to disclose the value of the contracts, saying this would only be known after the final awards.
According to Champiti, the maintenance works will cover nearly 60 percent of the country’s district councils.
Priority roads include the M5 (Lakeshore Road), the M18 from Edingeni to Ekwendeni and the M6 linking Zalewa and Mwanza.
“We have completed the procurement process for maintenance projects structured into three clusters—routine, periodic and emergency works,” he said.
“Routine maintenance includes pothole-patching and drainage repairs, while emergency works address flood damage such as washaways. Altogether, these clusters account for 70 contracts.”
On flood-related damage sustained late last year, Champiti said the M1 is now fully accessible following the installation of temporary bridges, with permanent structures to be constructed after the rainy season.
He added that nine sections of the M5 were damaged by floods, with eight already repaired. Works on the remaining section near Kasitu in Nkhotakota began on Thursday and the road is expected to be fully accessible by the weekend.
On his part, Mhango assured the RA that government will mobilise resources to complete critical infrastructure projects delayed by financial constraints.
He emphasised that poor road conditions are not only inconvenient, but also hinder economic growth and accessibility.
“We must ensure the availability of good roads. This institution is mandated to build and maintain them, but for the past three years, it has faced serious resource constraints due to the non-remittance of fuel levy to the Roads Fund Administration [RFA],” he said. “We need to resolve this and ensure the authority is adequately resourced.”
In the 2025/26 financial year, RFA was allocated K287 billion while donor and locally-funded road projects are estimated at K201 billion.
Earlier in the day, Mhango cautioned officials at the Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS) against corruption in the enforcement of road safety regulations, saying it undermines public safety.
He urged officers to enforce regulations professionally and fairly, particularly in handling accidents involving motorcycle taxis, commonly known as kabaza.
DRTSS director Madalitso Kuyera said the directorate is implementing measures to curb corruption, including opening additional service centres to reduce congestion.
He added that targeted interventions have also been rolled out to reduce road accidents, with a focus on kabaza operators.
Mhango was recently appointed Minister of Transport and Public Works, replacing Feston Kaupa, who has moved to the Ministry of Defence.
