President Mutharika opens K6.2billion John Chilembwe Highway President Peter Mutharika has stressed the important role good road networks play in sustainable economic development saying poor roads inhibit business growth. Mutharika made the remarks Friday morning at Kachere Township in Blantyre during the official opening of the 60 kilometre John Chilembwe Highway, formerly Blantyre-Zomba road. He observed that countries with bad road networks could not develop because poor road infrastructure poses enormous challenges to the business sector. “It is with great happiness that today I am opening Chilembwe Highway. The late president Professor Bingu WaMutharika laid a foundation stone for this road. “This is no mean achievement as the road has very good impact on the country’s development. Let me say that government has taken infrastructure as a tool for attracting more investors by making travelling easy. “My appeal is, please take care of the road and the ownership is in your hands. Avoid vandalizing the road and make sure that you are using it in the right manner,” said Mutharika. The Malawi leader added that government had rolled out several road projects such as Jenda-Edingeni, Mzuzu-Nkhatabay, Thyolo-Thekerani-Bangula and Zomba-Jali-Phalombe roads. Mutharika then disclosed that he would be commissioning the Lilongwe by-pass road in a weeks time. Francis Kasaila, Minister of Transport and Public Works said his ministry was working towards ensuring that all road projects are concluded on schedule. “It is the wish of the government to ensure that there is a good road network across the country. Let me report here that the heavy rains that have hit in the country, has also destroyed 20 roads which currently are under rehabilitation, he said. Dr Andrew Mwaba of the African Development Bank (ADB) said his bank decided to fund the project to enhance the countrys socio-economic development. The construction of Chilembwe Highway started on 19th January, 2012 and ended in October, 2014. Pictures of the opening ceremony by Malawi News Agency Photojournalist Govati Nyirenda
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 12:45:13 +0000
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