Mutharika launches construction of 83km Thyolo-Makwasa-Thekerani-Muona road

President Arthur Peter Mutharika has reiterated government commitment to improving infrastructure development in the country as he re-launches construction of Thyolo-Makwasa-Thekerani-Muona road which he said has been neglected for many years.

Mutharika told thousands who witnessed the re-launch at Mtambanyama primary school ground that the construction of the 83 km road will only take 2 and half years to complete.

Mutharika says is happy with the progress and pointed out that the road is very important as it is part of the Nacala corridor, an important trade route taking.

“This is an important road. The road goes via Nacala corridor. It is an important corridor that takes goods from Blantyre-Lilongwe through here to Muona all the way to Beira,” the Malawi leader said.

The road which is said to be first class is being constructed by Motal Engel and will cost 27 billion kwacha  which has been funded by Malawi government and partners from Kuwait Fund, Saudi Fund, OPEC among others.

The president pledged to continue constructing roads across the country saying his government wants to start rehabilitating township, district and rural roads. Among the roads to be worked on include; Zomba-Jali-Phalombe-Chitakale, Lirangwe-Machinga road.

The Malawi leader said he wants to bring development to the local masses that make up 80 percent of the population.

He further said his government will continue saving the people of Malawi in all regions despite that some few individuals are not appreciating government’s effort.

On this note Mutharika said his government will soon start construction of 15 community colleges in the districts where community colleges have not yet been constructed.

He said, “we already have 13 community colleges and once we build 15 more that make it 28 meaning one per district. Resources are available and very soon will start the construction work.”

Mutharika further said the colleges will assist the youth to acquire skills so that they should be economically self reliance.

He said he is much aware of the challenges the youth are facing in the country and promised that his government will continue coming up with programs that will benefit the youth in the country.

He also promised the youth that the DPP led government will continue disbursing loans to the youth through MEDEF and warned MEDEF workers against corruption.

He said once caught in the malpractice they will be dealt with accordingly.

In his remarks minister of Transport and Public Works Malison Ndau said the road will change the lives of the people along the road which passes over 5 constituencies by bringing out a boom in business, improvement in delivery of the social economic facilities.

Ndau added that the road construction will provide jobs for thousands of people which will in turn help alleviate poverty in their families.

He further stressed confidence in Motal Engel looking at the progress of the work they have done within the short stint of time they have been given to start working.

The minister also pointed out that the road will be constructed with first class international standard saying it will not be an ordinary road.

The minister further said the road initially was commissioned to be constructed well over 10 years ago but has dragged with funds being siphoned off by scrupulous persons.

Speaking at a ground breaking of the road at Number 1 trading center where the road meet Thyolo-Mulanje road, Managing Director for Motal Engel Antonio Pimenta assured the president that they will do their level best to finish the construction of the road within the time frame.

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