VP assures on M5 rehabilitation
Vice-President Saulos Chilima has assured that rehabilitation works for the M5 along the lakeshore will start soon as government expect to have the project contract signed this month.
Speaking on Friday when he addressed people at Nkhotakota Boma while on a tour of public sector reforms programme, Chilima said the lakeshore road rehabilitation works will be done in phases and will start next month.
The Veep said the first phase will involve rehabilitation of a 60-kilometre section from Kaphatenga in Salima to Benga in Nkhotakota which will be followed by the stretch from Benga to Dwangwa.
He said: “The good news now is that the section from Kaphatenga in Salima to Benga, a contractor has been identified and works should commence in the next 30 days and maximum 60 days.
“And then the stretch from Benga to Dwangwa, money has been identified, possibly funding from the African Development Bank [AfDB], which we think in the next four to five months in the worst case scenario, six months, works should also commence.”
Chilima said discussions were underway with potential financiers to rehabilitate the sections from Dwangwa in Nkhotakota to Mkwiya in Nkhata Bay and Kamuzu Road in Salima to Salima Turn-off in Ntcheu.
He said government will ensure that the road is rehabilitated and that promises made are fulfilled.
The Veep stressed that the Tonse Alliance administration was emphasising on quality infrastructure and that is in line with the Malawi 2063 agenda.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Roads Authority (RA) spokesperson Portia Kajanga confirmed that rehabilitation works are set to start soon, saying currently, RA is finalising procurement processes.
The M5 Road connects various lakeshore districts and is an alternative route to the M1. However, just like the M1, the road is currently in bad shape and poses a threat to road users.
