By Roy Howa:
Roads Authority says rehabilitation works on the Blantyre–Lilongwe M1 Road are expected to commence after the completion of procurement procedures currently underway.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency (MANA) Roads Authority Spokesperson, Lawrent Kumchenga, said the process is following mandatory legal steps before contractors can fully take over sites and begin work.
“Once the Notification of Intention to Award Contracts is issued, there is a mandatory 14-day waiting period. This will be followed by contract negotiations, contract award, and site handover – these take about a week,” he said.
Kumchenga added that after site handover, contractors will be given 14 days to mobilise equipment and other resources before commencing works.
The development follows a recent notice by the Authority indicating its intention to award contracts worth K245.78 billion for various road maintenance and rehabilitation projects, including the M1 and M10 corridors.
Meanwhile, transport operators have welcomed the announcement saying the rehabilitation will help reduce operational costs and improve road safety after years of deterioration.
Transporters Association of Malawi (TAM) Spokesperson, Frank Banda, said the condition of the M1 has for years increased operational challenges for drivers and transport companies.
“We have been engaging government for a long time over the poor state of this road. It has led to frequent vehicle breakdowns, high maintenance costs, and in some cases road accidents,” he said.
Banda said the planned rehabilitation works will bring relief to operators who have long endured increased costs due to the road’s condition.
“This development gives us hope that our operational costs will reduce and transport services will become more efficient once the road is fully rehabilitated,” he said.
The M1 road has, in recent years, remained a major concern for road users and transport stakeholders due to its deteriorating condition, prompting repeated calls for government’s intervention and accelerated maintenance works aimed at improving national connectivity.
