Road projects hit a snag in Zomba
Zomba City Council says the road upgrading project which was launched in February this year will delay further due to delayed funding.
Minister of Local Government Kondwani Nankhumwa launched the project.
The K1 billion ($1.4 million) project which was supposed to be completed this month has stalled for months following failure by the council to pay contractors on time.
Spokesperson for the council, Blessings Chikoko said the council received K300 million ($419 580) from September to November last year to start the project but never got the balance on time.
“The treasury has just given us the K700 million [$979 021) balance and we are discussing with our contractors so that they resume the work,” she said.
Seven roads including the Namiwawa, Matawale, 34th and 35th Avenue and Habitat road in Sadzi Township will be upgraded through the project.
Chikoko could not give details on when they expect to finish the project now that the council has been funded in the 2016/17 national budget.
Government through the ministry of local government and rural development allocated K1.8 billion ($2.5 million) to Blantyre and Lilongwe councils 1.4 billion ($2 million) to Mzuzu and K1 Billion ($1.4 million) to Zomba City council for upgrading of roads in the cities.
During the launch of the project in Zomba, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kondwani Nankhumwa said his ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Transport and Public Works in the development of a devolution plan for the rural roads sector which will result into the district councils also accessing resources for the improvement of the community roads.
