State of the road in some stretches captured last year
* Construction works set for November 2026 with contractors for the two work lots already recommended and awaiting approvals
* The project has been divided into two lots; Chiweta-Wovwe Bridge and Wovwe Bridge-Karonga
By Roy Howa, Malawi News Agency (MANA)
Contract awards for the rehabilitation works of the Chiweta-Karonga (M001) Road are awaiting required Government approvals but Roads Authority (RA) assures that construction is set to begin in November 2026.
View of Lake Malawi when negotiating the bends
The M001 Mzuzu-Chiweta-Karonga is a vital transport network ecosystem that connects the landlocked Malawi to the Port of Nacala in Tanzania but had been in dilapidated state for a long time.
Frustration over delays to rehabilitate the vital national road network link forced civil society organisation, Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) to close off this section as a demonstration to expedite rehabilitation efforts.
In response to a questionnaire from MANA, RA Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Joel Longwe states that contractors for the two work lots of the were already recommended and awaiting the required Government approvals.
Eng. Longwe, RA Chief Executive Officer
He thus confirmed earlier pledge by the Ministry of Transport & Public Works that set November as the target for commencement of the rehabilitation works.
“The tenders have been evaluated, and a contractor has been recommended for each lot,” he said, adding that the project has been divided into two lots — Chiweta-Wovwe Bridge and Wovwe Bridge-Karonga.
He further said the 24-month consultancy recently advertised by RA will provide construction supervision and design support during implementation, including reviewing technical details as the works progress and addressing any design issues that may arise on site.
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“The consultant will work alongside the contractors and address any necessary design matters in time for the relevant construction activities.”
Eng. Longwe added that there had been no change to the road alignment or the basis on which the works were tendered, adding that funding for the rehabilitation had been confirmed through a bank bond arrangement.
The contract amounts will be communicated once the proposed awards receive the required Government approvals.
Earlier in August, Cuthbert Mkandawire, speaking on behalf of civil society organisations in Karonga, said the poor condition of the road had increased travelling time between Mzuzu and Karonga from about three hours to seven hours.
Broken down trucks, accidents, tight bends are order of the day along the Chiweta hills stretch
Mkandawire called for the rehabilitation works to start quickly and urged Government to engage competent contractors to ensure quality and durable works.
The Chiweta-Karonga road is an important section of the M001 connecting the northern districts and has been earmarked for rehabilitation following concerns over its condition.
The latest development follows RA’s recent advertisement of a Request for Proposals for detailed design and construction supervision of the road, with proposals due on October 12, 2026.—Editing by Duncan Mlanjira; Maravi Express
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