By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, May 30, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has hailed the support which United States of America (USA) provides to Malawi, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), saying it has potential to transform the country.

MCC Compact II has given Malawi Government US$350 dollars for transport and land development.

Speaking during the launch of the compact, also known as the Malawi Transport and Land Compact, at Mzonde Ground in the area Senior Chief Kalolo in Lilongwe, Chakwera said the project will help transform and develop the nation.

He said government will ensure to have improved transport through the construction of roads to improve the country’s economy.

“These developments manifest how government is committed in improving the country’s infrastructure and livelihoods. We are dedicated to have a changed nation, all we want to see is that every Malawian should be able to provide for his or her family basic needs,” said Chakwera.

He said transformation of roads will make transportation of products easy helping farmers in the agriculture sector to transport their goods.

MCC Chief Executive Officer, Alice Albright, emphasized that the compact will transform the country’s transportation system, economy and development.

“This project will benefit more than 5.3 million Malawians. This comes because of the commitment which government of Malawi has demonstrated in boosting up the economy,” said Albright.

Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jacob Hara, appreciated President Chakwera for the commendable work his government is doing which has helped to gain trust from donor partners.

He said MCC Compact II projects aligns with Malawi 2063 whereby National Transport Master plan is one of the key agenda.

“MCC Compact II seeks to reduce travel time and costs for smallholder farmers through the improvement of targeted roads in selected transport corridors and the land administration seek to improve Malawi’s land governance institutions,” said Hara.

In 2018, Malawi Government successfully concluded implementation of the first compact from MCC on energy sector. This led Malawi to be chosen to develop a subsequent compact Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Malawi II.

The Transport and Land Compact comprises of three projects namely; Accelerated Growth Corridors, Increased Land Productivity, American Catalyst Facility for Development.