Malawi government has reversed its plans to let Mota-Engil construct the much-touted $80 million Njakwa to Chitimba road which passes through Livingstonia Mission in Rumphi District.
The Ministry of Transport and Public Works says the development comes because of cost implications.
Government initially wanted to use Design, Finance and Construct model for the project and engaged Mota-Engil because resources could not be immediately identified, according to Deputy Director of Transport in the ministry, James Chakwera.
The general agreement between government and Mota- Engil, therefore, was that the construction firm was going to design, finance and carry out the works.
The company had already mobilised resources and equipment which had been moved to the site.
“However after considering a number of factors it was decided that perhaps a normal tendering process would be ideal where government would be able to select the most economical bid.
“After Government changed its position the matter was discussed and amicably resolved with Mota- Engil,” Chakwera said.
Construction of the road may take about 4 years and the cost would only be known when the bids are received, evaluated and one chosen.
The only implication, he added “is perhaps that the normal tendering process takes a bit longer and, therefore, the project might be delayed a bit”.
The almost 100-kilometre road which is expected to be upgraded to bitumen class will mostly pass where it does now except those areas where there may be some serious impediments.
“The terrain in the area under consideration would be quite a challenge, may be cash flow problems as well,” he said.
The road runs parallel to the current bituminised road to its east. There are smaller roads connecting the two major roads like the Phwezi to Phwamphwa and the Rula to Mchenga passing through Mweyeye road.
“Initially the focus will be on just the road in question. Bringing in the other roads mentioned might unnecessarily escalate the cost of the project,” according to Chakwera, who is also the ministry’s Public Relations Officer.
The road stretching from Njakwa to Chitimba, passing through Livingstonia, has a historical background.
The foundation of the road was initiated by missionaries including David Goldon, from whom the name Golodi (which has 20 hairpin bends after Livingstonia) emanates, and Dr. Robert Laws way back in the 1900s, according to Godwin Christopher Harawa in Ntchenachena where the road would pass through.
“The road is important because it would stimulate and sustain agricultural development, industrial ventures and tourism in the Henga Valley and Phoka Hills. Tourism would also have been boosted as the road would provide the easiest access to Nyika National Park, through trails into the park,” Harawa said.
Harawa said, however, the decision by government is worrisome because people along the road have been unable to easily access health facilities and markets for produce ever since independence.
Crops grown in the areas along the road include maize, ground nuts, tobacco, beans, pineapples sweet peas apples, and cowpeas. There are also huge deposits of coal, uranium, copper, platinum and slate stones.
President Peter Mutharika launched the start of the project in March last year during a ceremony held at Mhuju, in the area of Sub- Traditional Authority Mwahenga.
At the event, Mutharika said the road was a milestone project which would open up Rumphi to various development projects.
Mutharika said upgrading of Njakwa-Livingstonia-Chitimba road to bitumen standard was a demonstration of his government’s determination and commitment to ensure the economic and social wellbeing of all Malawians is uplifted
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