President Peter Mutharika yesterday commissioned the 46-kilometre Nkhata Bay-Mzuzu Road constructed with a K16.7 billion loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
It was constructed by Strabag International GmbH of Germany.
Speaking during the commissioning of the road yesterday at Masamba Community Ground in Nkhata Bay, Mutharika said improving the transport system is key to the country’s development.
“A good road network transforms any country. We are currently constructing 17 major roads across the country,” he said.
In his remarks, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Jappie Mhango said five major roads, including the Nkhata Bay-Mzuzu will be completed this year. Meanwhile, AfDB resident representative Frank Mvula urged government to ensure sustainability of maintenance of the road to avloid premature deterioration.
The road is part of the Mtwara Development Corridor which links Malawi to the port of Mtwara in Tanzania on the Indian Ocean through Mbamba Bay and Nkhata Bay ports on the eastern and western shores of Lake Malawi respectively.
It will, therefore, serve as an export and import route for Malawi and neighbouring countries while promoting trade between countries in the region.
The road also forms a shorter link from the city of Mzuzu to tourist lakeshore district of Nkhata Bay.
The road has been reconstructed and widened to a cross- section of 6.8 metres carriageway and 1.5 metres wide sealed shoulders on either side.
