By George Bulombola

Mzuzu, September 10, Mana: Mzuzu City Council (MCC) in a bid to improve communication within its jurisdiction, Tuesday launched K455 Million road re-gravelling and grading initiative targeting selected earth roads in its 14 wards.

Speaking during the launching ceremony of the initiative at Mzuzu Upper Stadium, Chief Executive Officer for MCC, Gomezgani Nyasulu said it is the council’s vision to have all roads passable for improved service delivery and communication.

He said the project would be implemented using public resources, as such the council was compelled to launch it in the presence of all relevant stakeholders to deepen decentralization concept by enhancing transparency and accountability in managing public projects.

“We have also handed over contractors which have been awarded contracts to work on these roads to communities as a way of empowering them in monitoring the implementation of the project as we provide high level technical back stopping so that we have quality roads,” said Nyasulu.

He then commended government for providing the resources for the project as the council strives to resuscitate its network.

“In appreciation of the dire need for good roads in the city, the council through the project has targeted selected roads as not all can be worked on at once,” said Nyasulu.

Nyasulu added that most of the roads in the city have been over-graded and have turned into water path-ways as all the soils that support the roads have been washed away by rains hence the inclusion of the gravelling component so that the road surface is uplifted.

Commenting on some road construction projects, which have stalled for some time, he assured the people of Mzuzu that the roads will be completed; saying government is committed to having all roads’ projects completed.

“We just working on a few technical and contractual issues and once we have resolved them, we should be going back to the projects and will all be finished within this year,” he said.

Mayor for MCC, Brian Nyasulu said the council’s Planning Department will always be on the ground to ensure that contractors deliver according to contractual agreed specifications to ensure a quality and durable road network.

Councilor for Chiputula Ward, Hiwett Mkandawire and various block leaders drawn from the wards commended the council for initiating the project, which the described as a timely intervention considering that rains onset is just near. 

The projects have been awarded to Mungo Civil Engineering, Three Sisters Engineering, Chief Civil Engineering, Uhuru Civil Engineering, Shalome Investments and Mphamba Civil Works.