The Malawi government has embarked on an ambitious journey to revolutionise the country’s socioeconomic development through infrastructure projects with an aim to bolster growth, enhance connectivity and improve quality of life for its nationals.
From the development of highways ,airports, waterways and railway lines, these systems are of critical important to folster inclusive and sustainable development across the nation. The country has so far witnessed tangible milestones in the sector under Chakwera led government.
Several analysts including long time human rights defender, Undule Mwakasungula has defended Chakwera and his government for spending big on infrastructure.
According to Mwakasungula, infrastructure is an important determinant of economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction.
“Effective and efficient transport systems spread economic opportunities widely, thus making economic growth more inclusive.
“Roads by any standards are the ‘pulmonary veins’ through which the bloodline of economy flows, therefore, the country has to be proud of the administration agenda in its pursuit to achieve sustainable development,” Undule said in a radio interview.
In his opinion Undule says since roads drive the country forward, it likely that Chakwera bid for reelection will be secured through his stable vision in the infrastructure development.
Also commenting on the same is another economic analyst, Ceaser Kondowe says apart from the hub multiplier of economic growth and job creation, good roads help to integrate the country into regional supply chains and have an effect on import and export of goods and services.
For example roads that have been constructed in Lilongwe, there are not there to decorate the city but also transform business activities. This means a road that is not narrow, dilapidated, unsafe and riddled with potholes, but rather a modern highway that is well constructed for faster transportation and logistics,” he said.
But Kondowe has asked government to rectify the fuel issue soonest as it has negative effects on the economy and trade.
Since he took over the mantle of leadership, Chakwera has constructed several roads in country and others are still under progress. Top on the list is the six- lane in Lilongwe, M1 road from Lilongwe to Chiweta, Lakeshore road, Gwanda Chakwamba highway,Mangochi – Makanjira road among others.
