Blantyre City Council says it needs about K18 billion to deliver a dual carriageway from Kameza Roundabout to Chileka International Airport.

The council’s director of engineering services Chimwemwe Mndelemani said this on Thursday during an inspection tour of some road construction projects underway in the city.

He said the Kameza Roundabout to Chileka Road is important as it gives international travellers a picture of Blantyre City.

Said Mndelemani: “Initially, the budget for the second phase from Kameza Roundabout to Chileka International Airport was about K14 billion, but with the devaluation of the kwacha, the budget has increased to K18 billion.

“So, we are trying all the available avenues to mobilise resources for the road. But the other challenge is that Blantyre Water Board main pipes from Walker’s Ferry pass along the road.”

He said besides the Kameza Roundabout to Chileka Road, the council plan to construct other dual carriageways from the old Kandodo Corner Shop in Blantyre central business district through Mbayani and Chirimba to Lunzu which will need about K28 billion.

During the tour, Mndelemani, who was accompanied by the council’s chief executive officer Denis Chinseu, said he was impressed with Newlands Chiwembe-Manje, Ndirande-Makhetha, Lali Lubani-Chinyonga, Chipatala-Kamba and Namiwawa-Sunnyside roads.

In an interview, one of the motorists Arthur Chokotho who is also a Blantyre City resident, said the upgrading of the roads will improve mobility in the city. n