By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, May 20, Mana: The Malawi Roads Authority, has announced that government will upgrade the 21 kilometer Chimwaza - Nambuma Road (S115/T344) in Dowa to bitumen standard.

The Authority`s Social Planning Officer, Boston Kadzamira, made the remarks on Monday, during an orientation about the project to the Dowa District Executive Committee (DEC).

He said the project will be financed by government to a tune of Mk18.3 billion and is expected to commence in May 2025, and be completed in 18 months.

"Once completed, the road is expected to ease mobility challenges, reduce travel time, and improve safety for road users.

"It is also expected to improve transportation of agricultural produce, and overall improvement in social economic activities of the people around the area. So this orientation aims at informing the council about the project," said Kadzamira.

Other benefits, he said, include creation of employment opportunities and skills transfer to local community and civil engineering sector through interaction between different technocrats.

Kadzamira said currently, the contractor, China Civil Engineering Corporation Limited is establishing a campsite around Kalonga Trading Centre.

On the day, the Malawi Roads Authority also held consultative meetings with community members living close to Chimwaza - Nambuma road, namely, Chimwaza, Kalonga, Kasolo, Dangaliro and Nambuma.

Through the meetings, the Roads Authority in conjunction with Dowa District Council met chiefs, Village Development Committees, faith leaders, community members, security agencies, amongst others to raise awareness on the project.

"We want you to know the benefits the road will bring, but also on the challenges which might come during construction and how we plan to mitigate them," said Mgwadira.

A representative of Senior Chief Dzoole said the project is a good development and was long overdue.

"We are very happy with the development. As a community, we will ensure we play our part in the successful implementation of the project," he said.

Earlier, Acting Chief Planning Officer for the council, Yusuf Laki said roads boost social economic development of a district.

He however called for strong communication channels between stakeholders and the community to ensure timely address of issues that may arise, to avoid unnecessary delays of the project.