Roads Authority (RA) has expressed satisfaction with the rehabilitation of the 60-kilometre section of the M5 from Kaphatenga in Salima to Benga in Nkhotakota District.

Speaking on Tuesday during a community awareness campaign at Bzyobzyo Trading Centre in Senior Chief Mwadzama in Nkhotakota, RA spokesperson Portia Kajanga said the contractor China Railway 20 has so far registered progress in the project.

Kajanga said the contractor has completed 70 percent of the 120 culverts and one of the two bridges along the M5 Road.

“The project, which started in November 2022, is expected to complete in December 2024. However, the project was delayed because the contractor was forced to repair damaged sections of the road during the 2022/23 rainy season,” she said.

Kajanga: The project was delayed

Kajanga further said they will start compensating about 600 people who planted trees along the road from Salima to Benga in Nkhotakota.

“We have already compensated those who constructed houses and shops along the road,” she said.

Nkhotakota district lands officer Precious Kondowe said his office has dealt with land-related issues of concerned people to enable the contractor to finish the project within the timeframe.

Senior Chief Mwadzama said the road will ease mobility challenges in the area.

“The Lakeshore Road is in bad state. That is why we thank government for rehabilitating it,” he said.

Mwadzama advised his subjects to refrain from engaging in sexual relationships with people working on the project to prevent unplanned pregnancies.

With K3.7 billion funding from Malawi Government, China Railway 20 is rehabilitating the section.

Meanwhile, Kajanga says Malawi Government has secured a loan from the African Development Bank to rehabilitate the 104km stretch from Benga to Dwangwa in Nkhotakota. The project is expected to start from April 2024

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