Roads Authority responds to Chakwera’s directive on Chitipa Boma-Ilomba Road
The management of the Roads Authority (RA) has ordered its secretariat to immediately draw a work-plan for the upgrading of the Chitipa Boma-Ilomba Road.
The order follows a directive President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera made at a development rally held in Chitipa three days ago.
Chakwera, who had earlier inspected crops in the districts, expressed dismay with the delays in the upgrading of the road.
He ordered that the finalization of designs and procurement processes for the 30-Kilometre road be completed for take-off within the next four months after the directive.
Nyasa Times now understands that RA Board has issued a memo to its secretariat, directing it to immediately get to work.
RA Board Chairperson Joe Ching’ani has further directed the secretariat to allocate roles to the responsible personnel.
“It is with the foregoing in mind that in order that the directive by the president be fulfilled, I, in my capacity as Board chairperson hereby directs that secretariat should immediately set the wheels rolling, allocate roles, draw a roadmap with clear timelines, the timelines of which must fit in the time frame set by the president,” said Ching’ani.
The memo further advises secretariat to indicate individuals assigned specific duties and the time allocated for such tasks.
During a press briefing on Monday, Chakwera also expressed concerns over procurement delays on various crucial projects including the all critical Nsanje-Marka Railway Line.
The president warmed that he will deal with all officers ‘sitting’ on procurement processes for such crucial projects.
In Chitipa, the President said: “Honourable Minister Jacob Hara and your team, I am directing that we shouldn’t go beyond four months finalising the designs and procurement of works, before all is set to commence on this road.”
Apart from the RA directive Chakwera, during the rally, also directed Minister of Agriculture Lobin Lowe to start early preparations for this year’s Affordable Input Programme-AIP.
Some commentators have indicated that what is happening are the fruits of the President’s nationwide crop inspection initiative and development rallies where he is appreciating various government activities by having first hand information from the people.
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We will be thankful when we see the directives being implemented on the ground.
Let us hope it really takes off. This road is very important for the livelihoods of the people not only those that live there but across from the length and width of this country.
What about mzuzu – Karonga road? The road is in bad shape, needs comprehensive rehabilitations
Was the road budgeted for?
If it was, then why should it take a presidential directive to remind Jacob Hara and NRA to do their job?
If it wasn’t budgeted for then why the urgency? Where will NRA get the $30 million to do the road? Why not focus on the roads that were budgeted for this year and plan this for 2023. That way the integrity of the budget is preserved. The budget must be worth the paper it’s printed on
The president should akso look into our local council and find out what delays procurement up to one year. When you ask, you just receive a shout.