Malawi opposition MPs take govt  to task over poor road maintenance

Opposition members of parliament on Tuesday took the government head on over substandard road construction and maintenance.

The back benchers singled out the Area 18/Gulliver stretch of road that leads to the newly built Bingu International Stadium.

They faulted government officials for picking contractors with substandard works background.

They said it was sad the government is spending huge sums of money on construction and maintenance of roads which develop potholes just after a short period.

Transport and Public Works minister Jappie Mhango said sometimes the government comes under pressure from the same parliamentarians to construct or maintain roads.

“We take time to pick contractors for road construction because we want to have the best but sometimes we come under severe pressure from the same parliament,” he said.

He said there was need to have background checks for contractors and see evidence how they have performed in the last six months before they are awarded another contract.