The onset of rains has worsened the condition of roads in the country, creating deep potholes and washing away some sections, making travel for business and leisure a nightmare.
Worst-af fected roads include the M5 between Salima Turn-off in Ntcheu and Nkha ta Bay, t h e section linking Golomoti and Mtakataka Turnoff in Monkey Bay, Mangochi on the Masasa-Golomoti- Monkey Bay Road as
well as the section on the M1 linking Nchalo in Chikwawa and Nsanje. The Zomba-Liwonde Road and Mangochi-Turnoff to Chingeni section are not spared while the Lilongwe- Kasungu Road is undergoing rehabilitation.
Given the condition of the roads, what is ordinarily meant to be a smooth 10-minute drive now takes close to 30 minutes or more as one has to manoeuvre deep potholes to avoid damaging the vehicle’s suspension.
For transporters, the damage is not only an inconvenience, but also economic and deadly.
In an interview yesterday, Transporters Association of Malawi publicity secretary Frank Banda said hauliers are reaching breaking point due to the dilapidated roads condition.
concerns. | Nation
He said: “We have raised these concerns with the Ministry of Transport and Public Works many times, but the response has always been lack of funding. That is why most transporters are now reluctant to release their vehicles because the cost of wear and tear has gone up, and poor roads are contributing to road accidents.”
Sma l l and medium enterprises which form the backbone of Malawi’s economy are also bleeding quietly.
Malawi Union of Small and Medium Enterprises president James Chiutsi in a separate interview yesterday said deteriorating roads have a huge impact on both businesses and consumers as ordinary Malawians bear some of the costs.
He said: “The impact is huge. A distance that should take 10 minutes now takes over 20. We spend more on vehicle maintenance and eventually these costs are passed on to consumers.
“But beyond business, most of these roads are simply dangerous . Government needs long-term solutions.” In rural communities, the fear is even more personal.
Senior Chief Ngabu of Chikwawa described the road between Chikwawa and Ngabu as a death trap, par ticularly the section b e twe en Nc h a l o and Mkombezi River and at Namikalango Bridge at Miseufolo.
“Moving on this road at night is dangerous for both pedestrians and motorists because of the big potholes. Perishable goods are easily damaged. Peopl e a re suffering,” he said.
The concerns come against the background o f Minibus Owners Association of Ma lawi statement in March this year that the poor roads status are increasing repair costs which forces operators to raise fares.
In an interview yesterday, Ministry of Transport and Public Works spokes p er son Wat son Maingo acknowledged the challenges road users are facing in some par ts of the country and called for patience.
He said some progress is being made, pointing to upgrades completed between Kaphatenga in Salima and Benga in Nkhotakota . He said cont racts were already awarded for rehabilitation works from Benga to Dwangwa along the M5 aka Lakeshore Road.
“Progress may seem slow because it is the rainy season, but plans are in place to rehabilitate major roads such as Zomba to Liwonde and Nchalo to Nsanje, with support from developmental partners such as the World Bank,” said Maingo.
He said Roads Authority (RA) is working to rehabilitate and improve some of the damaged roads before the upgrade is undertaken.
RA chief executive of f icer Engineer Ammiel Champiti asked for more time, saying he was engaged in meetings.
In the 2017-2037 Malawi National Transport Ma ster Plan, the Malawi Government emphasises the development and maintenance of safe, reliable and c limat e – res i l i ent road infrastructure.
The plan, projected to cost $9.15 billion (about K16 trillion), identifies roads as critical enablers of economic growth, trade, and social development, and calls for timely maintenance, improved road saf e t y and long- term investment to withstand climate shocks such as heavy rainfall.
In 2023 about 405 kilometres of roads were affected by Cyclone Freddy and government indicated that it needed K29.58 billion to fix them.
