Chief sends alert on Chiweta-Mlowe Road

With rains set to start, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwamlowe of Rumphi has alerted authorities on the need to build the long overdue Chiweta-Mlowe Road to ease accessibility.

The chief’s call comes after government unveiled plans to upgrade the road to bitumen status. However, for over a year now, there have been numerous postponements on commencement of civil works.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Mwamlowe expressed worry over the delay, saying with the rains approaching, people will face difficulties using the road.

He said the road’s condition heavily affects medical referral cases and once the road is cut off, it will be hard for ambulances to take patients to Rumphi District Hospital.

“Travelling on this road is hell and when rains come it will make matters worse. We are afraid that ambulances will not be able to pass through some points.

“Initially, we were informed that works were supposed to start in November last year but authorities kept on changing dates. Up to now, there is nothing and we are really concerned,” he said.

Rumphi District Council director of public works Allan Chitete said the delay is mainly a result of calls for changes in the design of the road. He said the council has now engaged a consultant to do new designs and within a month, there should be progress on the part of the designs. n