Two years after construction works of the K5.6 billion bypass road connecting Mzuzu-Mzimba and Mzuzu-Nkhata Bay roads started, only two kilometres (km) of the 10.4-km stretch has been completed.
The development has cast doubt on whether the project will meet its deadline this year.
Speaking after Mzuzu City Council officials toured the project on Tuesday, Engineer Boydd Mwabutwa, who is Infra Works Development Limited supervising consultant team leader, said delays will result in financial implications.
He said: “There will be some costs attached to the contract because it has clauses which cater for escalation of cost of materials.
“That is the risk, but it is because of the way the contract is being financed.”
On his part, Plem Construction Limited quantity surveyor Gerald Mwamlima blamed lack of funding for the delay, saying they have received only K1.7 billion so far.
He said: “We are remaining with six weeks to complete the Matete-Mzuzu Government section which was allocated K3.2 billion.
“Because of little funds, we will stop construction works at the bridge section.”
However, Mzuzu City Council chief executive officer Gomezgani Nyasulu said he was impressed with the quality of work, but bemoaned the delay.
“In two years we cannot just cover this distance [two km], although we acknowledge the financial challenges,” he said.
Nyasulu said they engaged Roads Fund Administration to lobby for additional funding to expedite the project.
The project is part of the City Roads Development Project financed by the Roads Fund Administration.
