Roads Authority (RA) says it has invited fresh bids for the completion of the 30-kilometre Chitipa-Ilomba Road project because the initial contractors were only assigned the first phase of the works.
The explanation comes after questions emerged over what happened to the contractors whose cost rose from K34.4 billion to K72 billion despite the road remaining unfinished nearly four years after construction began.
But in an interview yesterday, RA spokesperson Lawrent Kumchenga said the project was designed to be implemented in phases and that the first three joint-venture indigenous contractors had substantially completed the scope assigned to them.
completed. | Nation
He said the first phase involved earthworks, construction of reinforced concrete box culverts and installation of concrete pipe culverts across the road’s three 10-kilometre sections.
“The contractors substantially completed the scope of works that was assigned to them under this first phase. As such, their contractual obligations under that phase were concluded,” said Kumchenga.
According to RA, the second phase will involve construction of the cement-stabilised gravel sub-base, crushed stone base and asphalt surfacing, with works expected to start once procurement of the contractor is completed.
The road was initially awarded in 2022 to seven local contractors grouped into three joint ventures.
The first lot involved Victory Vision Civil Engineering, Sitbec Limited and Goka Civil Engineering Joint Venture while the second lot was assigned to Dika Construction Limited and Hema Construction Limited.
Tahit Networks Limited and Chivundiko Civil Engineering Contractors handled the third lot.
In 2024, then Minister of Transport Jacob Hara publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the works after an inspection established that the road was only 13 percent complete.
The road is considered strategically important because it links Malawi and Tanzania and supports cross-border trade, transport and movement of farm produce.
Senior Chief Kameme and civil society leaders in Chitipa previously warned that delays on the project were negatively affecting business and access to essential services.
