* The new roads are set to decongest the Capital City’s traffic. Just as Chilima was known for his time management skills, the new roads are helping Malawians save valuable time on the road
* We should take a lesson from SKC in valuing time, as punctuality remains a challenge in the country. Embracing SKC’s trait is crucial for Malawi’s sustainable growth and development
By Pempho Kantayeni, MANA & Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
President Lazarus Chakwera has officially opened the six-lane highway Saulos Klaus Chilima Highway and Mzimba Street in Lilongwe with a statement that infrastructure projects are key to unlocking economic potential by enhancing mobility and efficiency.
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The President emphasised that the newly constructed roads in the Capital will help decongest traffic, ease mobility, and boost economic operations in the country.
Chakwera named the country’s first-ever six-lane road in memory of the late Saulos Klaus Chilima (SKC), highlighting that just as Chilima was known for his time management skills, the new roads are helping Malawians save valuable time on the road.
“We should take a lesson from SKC in valuing time, as punctuality remains a challenge in the country,” said the President.
Late SKC
Chilima was known for his punctuality arriving at official events well ahead of time and catching officials napping, who were arriving late and unprepared to start any time soon.
At one point, SKC apologised for coming early — a message that was clear that he was not amused of the laissez-faire attitude of civil servants; thus the President said: “Embracing SKC’s trait is crucial for Malawi’s sustainable growth and development.”
The President emphasised his government’s commitment to delivering improved road designs and implementing them on schedule, noting that this will strengthen Malawi’s economy by enhancing the road network.
Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jacob Hara, said the newly constructed roads are durable and contribute to beautifying the city.
The highway features a unique pavement structure with a 50-millimeter surfacing of asphalt concrete and a 200-millimeter gravel surface.
The project is celebrated as a significant achievement in road infrastructure development in Malawi.
Minister Hara added that the President has pledged to expand the M1 roads in Lilongwe and across the country to ensure improved mobility and efficiency on the roads.
“We intend to expand Mzimba Street from the Crossroads Roundabout to the Western Bypass Road, including upgrading the road from Kamuzu Central Roundabout to Mchesi on the M1 into a four-lane road,” he said.
Other infrastructure under construction include Thuchila Bridge on the M004 in Nkando, Mulanje, which has frustrated travellers for many years, have been struggling to cross the river.
Roads Authority indicates that the works, which commenced on April 15, 2025 under contractor, Mark Construction, has been installed with mild steel plates on the bailey bridge that will help ease traffic movement as work on the permanent bridge continues.
Roads Authority also indicates that works on the 300km stretch of M1 Road is now at 98km complete in four lots — Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) junction to Kasungu; Kasungu-Jenda; Jenda to Mzimba Turn Off and Kacheche to Chiweta.
Over the past few weeks, the President has opened several infrastructures that included ultral modern Thyolo District Council office complex — describing the establishment as a symbol of his administration’s respect for the people of Thyolo and that it represents a milestone in decentralisation and service delivery.
He also opened a stadium in Mwanza, which he named it after late legislator, Joyce Chitsulo, who until her death was Mwanza West Member of Parliament (MP) as well as Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity & Culture.
Construction of the 7,000-10,000 capacity stadium started in January 2024 and was commissioned with the first match on the pitch between Mwanza Select and TNM Super League side, Dedza Dynamos.
Excitement swept through Mwanza over the modern facility that expected to transform sporting, cultural, and social activities in the district.
He then commissioned the magnificent Zomba Stadium, whose capacity is 20,000, which he described as a milestone in sports development.
“Those that have eyes can see what I have done, and I don’t have to keep mentioning every development,” he said. “What I ask from you is to allow me to continue developing this country up to 2030.
He urged Zomba residents to take good care of the new stadium and other infrastructure projects, stressing that such facilities are vital for community growth.
The new facility used to be known as Zomba Community Centre, which was an important venue for high profile elite football matches, playing as host stadium for Red Lions Football Club.
Once Red Lions get promoted into the TNM Super League, who are leading in the NBS National Division League, the elite football will certainly return to Zomba and contribute towards the economic activities of the Old Capital.
Just yesterday, Minister of Local Government, Unity & Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda officially opened Ntcheu Stadium on behalf of the President, which he said will be a source of revenue for the council as it will be used not only for sports but also churches, heritages and other activities.
He added that the policy of the government is to make sure that it provides stadiums across the country and to give the citizens a platform for recreational activities, including football and netball, amongst others.
“The facility will economically empower councils to raise resources and implement some of the projects without waiting for Capital Hill for support,” said Chimwendo and added that he was impressed with the quality of work and the capacity of the stadium.
In his vote of appreciation, Senior Chief Makwangwala expressed the people’s gratitude over the magnificent Ntcheu Stadium, saying it has come at the right time as the community had a football ground at the trading centre which was eventually replaced by a new bus depot.
“Teams and the community members at large had nowhere to play football when the old football ground was replaced with the new depot, so this development is very commendable,” said Senior Chief Makwangwala.
He advised all stakeholders to take care of the facility which is located in Kandota Village in the area of Senior Chief Kwataine.
Apart from football, there are other sporting activities that will be taking place at the stadium such as netball, volleyball, handball and athletics.
The stadium has various key components including the VVIP covered stand, VIP covered stand, general uncovered stands, running track, security metal fence around the pitch, four ticketing offices and four ablution blocks.
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