Mutharika inaugurates new Mzuzu-Nkhata Bay road christened ‘APM Highway’
President Peter Mutharika on Tuesday inaugurated the new K22 billion Mzuzu-Nkhata Bay road which the government has since christened Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) Highway.
Speaking at Masamba Community ground at Mpamba Trading Centre in Traditional Authority (TA) Timbiri in the district, Mutharika hailed the contractor Strabag International for constructing this road he described as “magnificent”.
Mutharika claimed he did not know that the government wanted to name the road after him.
“I am very humbled that you decided to name the road after me, thank you very much, I never expected it. In fact, I wanted to name it after some body else,” he said.
“I will reserve mine for another new road,” Mutharika said.
The 46-km Mzuzu-Nkhata Bay Road starts from Mzuzu City at the court house roundabout and ends at Nkhata Bay Jetty on Lake Malawi.
It is part of the M05 road that runs from Mzuzu through Nkhata Bay, Dwangwa, Nkhotakota, Salima and ends at junction with M01 road at Balaka Market.
Construction works started from July 1, 2016 to June 23, 2018 to the tune of over K16, 7 billion. The financial resources were made up of a loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and financial contributions from the Malawi Government.
AfDB country representative Frank Mvula said the institution attaches great importance to road infrastructure development as it is the driver for economic growth.
Mvula then asked government to ensure that the road is maintained from time to time for durability.
After cutting a ribbon and unveiling a plaque at Mpamba Trading Centre to mark the official opening of the road, the President proceeded to Nkhata Bay Boma to inspect the newly constructed jetty.
The road is part of Mtwara Development Corridor, which links Malawi and Zambia to Mtwara Port in Tanzania on the Indian Ocean through Mbamba Bay and Nkhata Bay on the shores of Lake Malawi.
Meanwhile, the contractor Strabag International has embarked on construction of dual carriage way from the Mzuzu Court House roundabout to Katoto roundabout in the city.
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Whatsoever name that mattersless to us. Your brother changed Midima Road to Mugabe Road. Palibe chikusintha anthu.
We still vote MCP
22B is a lot of money the roads should not look ordinary and who inspects the quality of these roads R424Mil is no small change for 46 Km road. The numbers are mind boggling and no one is asking questions. The road seems too ordinary for the kind of money spent. That should be a multi lane road for that kind of money
The cost of opening the road is enough to rehabilitate a primary school. No need for us to clap hands
How can the name of the road you are going to open be hidden from you. These foolish politicians thinks Malawians as are as foolish as they are. We know how the system works. There is no way people can suggest a name of any structure without contacting government top officials , let alone the President. Ndiye osakana bwanji and insisti on the name you proposed?
We will change that to Mzuzu-Nkhatabay highway in 10 months!
But who is this fool responsible for naming roads?
We are still living in the era of zonse zimene za Kamuzu Banda. I think no structures should be named after politicians when they are still in power. it is not good for Mzuzu-Nkhatabay road to be named after a suspected thief.
Every thing is possible, we had Kamuzu Highway now Chipembere Masauko Highway. Today it is APM Highway next year or it will be Kanyama Chiume Highway or Yatuta Chisiza Highway. Just wait.
i will rehabilitate a road and name it eish Malawi my country
I guess Dr Banda should have named M1 road Kamuzu M1 and Kamuzu Lake shore road.When you upgrade the road between Salima and Nkhotakota what are you going to Name It?
iiiiiiiii anthu onse mwachita comment apa sindikudziwa ngati mumafunila dziko lanu zabwino. guys ndale tisiye apo, pena pake ndibwino kumabvomeleza zabwino zikachitika. anyway ndi ufulu wanunso kulemba zomwe mukufuna, chomwe mungadziwe anthu a chakwera inu ndichakuti, muyezo umene mawayezela anzanu , omwewonso muzayedzeledwa nawo.