By Steve Chirombo
Nsanje, September 24, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera on Friday assured people of Nsanje district that construction works of Nsanje-Marka M1 road would be completed by December, 2021.
He made the remarks when he toured construction works whose progress is at 85 percent.
Chakwera bemoaned the delays that were made due to poor funding however expressed optimistic that there would speedy progress saying by now, the contractor has received all his dues.
He added that once completed, people would travel for a short time to reach Beira in Mozambique.
“The road is of important because it will reduce distance one has to travel from Malawi to Mozambique. At the same time, we will be able to access cheap goods and services from our neighbouring country,” the President said.
Chakwera called on Malawians to unite saying it was through unity which would transform the country.
“Let’s all work together if we want to develop our nation and if we want to achieve what every Malawian wants,” he stated
The 25 kilometres road which is being constructed by China Railway No.20 Bureau Group is expected to spend over K11 billion.
On the Shire Zambezi Waterway Project, Chakwera assured people that the project was still in government’s development agenda.
“With a rehabilitated and functioning transport system in Nsanje the district will be transformed to a city where visitors coming in the country from Mozambique will experience city life here at Nsanje,” he said.
Works at the 25 kilometres Nsanje-Marka road were supposed to be completed in March, 2021 but the works delayed due to funding.
Government has finally released the funds to ensure that works completed by December, 2021.
How does a road being constructed on the Malawi side from Nsanje administrative centre to Marka on the border between Malawi/Mozambique reduce the distance to Beira? He goes on to talk of the port late Bingu Wa Mutharika initiated but stalled because of him (Chakwera) and his people who shot-down the idea that the plan was not viable and non-productive. Why should he go and repeat the same messages the previous two presidents said but was adamantly and rudely rejected by him when he was leader of opposition as well as soon when he stole an election, has he now seen the necessity of making Nsanje a city and have the port up and running, or he is just trying to buy votes and support from people who don’t have viable choices to make due to being lied to? At times you earn respect when you acknowledge the effort, plans, works of your predecessors. You become a gentleman, hence praise/respect naturally flows freely. But if you try to own/inherit some people’s endeavours you’re labelled a cheat, hence the word plagiarism sets-in. Surely old projects require completion since they are government funded and not personal to holder, but commonsense calls for acknowledgement of previous statesmen who specifically initiated the projects which someone wants to be commended for. Learn to live/lead a life devoid of wearing other people’s hats, which unfortunately, do not fit you.