By Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, April 5, Mana: Roads Fund Administration (RFA) has expressed satisfaction over the progress of construction of a K1 billion feeder tarmac Soko to bus depot road in the Mangochi Municipality under the Special Roads Rehabilitation Project.

The road project which will cover a distance of 850 meters, started in October last year and is expected to be completed in May this year.

NRA directors inspected the project on Thursday and RFA board chairperson, Mathews Chikankheni said the Special Roads Rehabilitation Project will bring impact to both cities and municipals.

The RFA board chairperson assured the local authorities which are implementing the roads projects that they will be consistently receiving funding every year. 

‘‘As Roads Fund Administration, we are very excited to note that the Soko via bus depot tarmac road at Mangochi Municipal is taking shape at an expected timeframe and we are also happy to see that the issue of quality has been taken into account.’’

‘‘In the 2023/2024 financial year, we allocated K1 billion each to Mangochi, Kasungu as well as Karonga municipalities. But we also funded city councils of Zomba and Mzuzu with K 2 billion each, while Lilongwe and Blantyre got K 4 billion each. If the councils are consistently funded every year, we feel there will be greater impact on feeder roads come four years also,’’ added Chikankheni.

The Special Roads Rehabilitation Project is being implemented across all cities, as well as municipal councils in the country to improve road infrastructure.

In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer, for Mangochi Municipality Council, Ernest Kadzokoya said that amongst challenges that affected the project include close availability of Water Board pipes, Electricity poles, as well as vendors along the road.

Kadzokoya however said that they are working hand in hand with relevant stakeholders in order to address the problem.

‘‘This has given us a lesson to start discussing with all our clients who are within our alignment, to see how best they can move away from our road alignment,’’ said Kadzokoya.