Roads Authority (RA) has reopened some critical sections of key roads that were cut off by flooding waters from incessant rains that hit the country last week.
But the authority said some sections of other roads were yet to be opened to traffic because contractors were still working on fixing them.
RA chief executive officer (CEO) Ammiel Champiti in an interview yesterday said about 65 road sections nationwide were damaged by heavy rains last week with the Northern and Southern regions recording the highest number of affected points.
On the M1 which was cut off between Lengwe turn-off and Nchalo in Chikwawa, the RA has installed concrete pipe culverts to open the road to traffic.
“The road has been connected to the level of accessibility while we continue working to complete the repairs,” said Champiti.
On the M5 or Lakeshore Road at Lifidzi Bridge located 16 kilometres from Kamuzu Road in Salima, heavy rains changed the course of the river and weakened the approach slab of the bridge.
Champiti said vehicles are now able to pass at Lifidzi as well on another section at Kaombe in Nkhotakota after emergency works.
The RA also deployed a contractor on the Zomba-Liwonde M3 where initial repairs have also made a damaged section passable, he said.
However, repairs are yet to be carried out on the majority of damaged sections.
Champiti cited the M1 from Chiweta in Rumphi to Karonga which he said has quite a number of damaged sections where vehicles are able to pass with a lot of struggle.
“We have contractors who are among those we have expressed intention to award contracts and we expect to deploy them in April,” he said.
Champiti further said rehabilitation works have not started on the washed away section of Thambani Road between Thambani and Kalonga in Mwanza.
On the Njakwa or Chipokababoli Bridge on the M24 in Rumphi where water overflowed, he said there has been erosion of the carriageway due to the force of the water and there is need for rehabilitation.
Champiti attributed the widespread damage of roads to a combination of factors, including deforestation, sand mining and ageing road infrastructure designed for past climate conditions.
He also pointed to years of deferred maintenance, noting that delayed routine works have worsened the current situation.
Meanwhile, road users say the situation on the ground remains difficult despite the partial progress.
Truck Drivers Union of Malawi vice-chairperson Francis Mkandawire expressed concern, saying drivers continue to face challenges navigating damaged sections, including on the Chiweta-Karonga M1 section.
Transporters Association of Malawi director Frank Banda said most repairs are temporary but what is needed is rehabilitation so that the spots are not damaged again.
Earlier this month, Roads Fund Administration (RFA) told Parliament that it has budgeted K300 billion this year for maintenance and rehabilitation of roads nationwide.
RFA chief executive officer Stewart Malata K100 billion of the allocation will go towards routine maintenance and rehabilitation across the country while K50 billion is earmarked for repairing damaged sections of the M1 between Lilongwe and Blantyre.
