Disappointing Progress in Construction of Chitipa-Ilomba Road, Says Roads Fund Administration
The slow progress of the Chitipa-Ilomba road construction raises concerns about the timely completion of this vital infrastructure project.
Chitipa, Malawi - The Roads Fund Administration has expressed its disappointment over the slow progress of the ongoing construction of the 30 km Chitipa-Ilomba road, which has a budget of 34.5 billion Kwacha, writes Patricia Kayuni.
The board chairperson, Matthews Chikankheni, described the current implementation of the project as a mere 6%, suggesting that the contractors may not be able to meet the contract's stipulated deadline.
During a tour of the road from Chitipa Boma to the Ilomba border, Chikankheni highlighted the lack of engineers and equipment on-site as the main reason for the sluggish pace of construction.
He emphasised the potential benefits of the road, stating that its completion would enhance cross-border and international trade between Malawi and Tanzania.
Engineer Charles Mtawali, the Northern Region Manager for the Roads Authority, echoed Chikankheni's concerns, stating that progress on all three lots of the project was slow, despite no issues with funding.
Mtawali acknowledged that contractors had cited challenges such as fuel shortages and inclement weather, but he advised them to bring in additional equipment and engineers to compensate for lost time, especially with the approaching rainy season.
The 30-kilometre Chitipa-Ilomba road is being constructed by seven local contractors, including Victory Vision, Sitbake Limited, Goka, Tahiti, Dika Construction, Chivundiko, and Hema Construction.
The project commenced on December 8, 2022, and is expected to be completed by June 8, 2024.
The slow progress of the Chitipa-Ilomba road construction raises concerns about the timely completion of this vital infrastructure project.
Stakeholders are hopeful that the contractors will address the challenges and expedite the construction process to ensure the road's completion within the agreed-upon timeframe.