By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, October 19, Mana: Construction works for Neno tarmac road are geared to start soon with scheduled completion set in 18 months’ time.

Neno District Council hailed commencement of the road works that are set at K35.7 billion road saying it will improve mobility of people and trade activities of people in the district.

Neno Council’s District Disaster Risk Management Officer, Brighton Mphinga expressed the council’s gratitude, Friday, at Ligowe Village Traditional Authority Mlauli in Neno at a ceremony marking commencement of upgrading of 20 Kilometers of the road from Ligowe Village up to Neno Stadium.

The 20 kilometers road is being constructed by CR-20, a construction firm who took over after government terminated China Geo’s contract. 

Mphinga, who represented Neno District Commissioner at the ceremony, said the Council was looking forward to successful road upgrading, saying the commencement was a move in the right direction towards socio-economic development that shall benefit a number of sectors ranging from transport, agriculture, education, trade to health among others.

“In almost 50 years, Neno has been without a tarmac road. We are happy that a contractor has come to construct the road,” said Mphinga.

Patricia Kwada, who represented Senior Chief Mlauli, said the road project will help improve economic activities specifically highlighting the improved mobility of people and goods while at the same time expressing hope that it will be of high quality and calling on people to avoid vandalizing equipment and road signs.

“Commodities in Neno are more expensive to that end. This means commodities will be affordable once the road finishes.

“We have all the confidence that the road will be of high standard. The contractor assured us through consultants that government has already pumped in a lot of money to start the construction of this road,” Kwada added.

CR-20, Construction Manager, Towa Mzumala, assured the people of Neno that the company will construct a high quality road, disclosing that the road will be wide enough with extra space for motorcycles and pedestrians.

“We want to assure the community as well as all stakeholders involved in this construction that CR20 contractors will satisfy their needs by finishing the road within the specified period. We will put up a very top quality road,” he added.

Mzumala said CR20 was looking forward to continued good relations with Neno District Council and community members.