No hope for stalled road
Minister of Transport and Public Works Jappie Mhango says he is “not sure” when construction of the K7.1 billion Mzimba-Eswazini-Mzalangwe Road will resume.
Government engaged Fargo to construct the 62-kilometre tarmac, but the company abandoned the project five years ago.
According to Roads Authority (RA), the contractor was supposed to complete the works within 36 months from May 1 2009 to November 16 2012.
However, Fargo pulled out after three years during which it tarred eight kilometres (km), cleared 14km and erected bridge columns. In 2013, project manager Suhail said government owed them K888 million.
In an interview on Monday, Mhango could not state when the stalled project will pick up as government has no money.
He said: “I am aware of the road in question. It was abandoned due to lack of resources. We are still looking for resources to finish the road. Our priority is to complete the bridge near Mzimba Boma which was abandoned at a foundation stage. It is very dangerous.”
In an interview, Mzimba Solola legislator Jacob Hara (MCP) asked government to fulfil the promise it made to people in Mzimba.
“If they have no money, why are they conducting ground-breaking ceremonies of new projects in other parts of the country every day? Is it because this road is in Mzimba?” he asked.
RA spokesperson Portia Kajanga is on record as having said that Fargo terminated the contract due to delays in payments and shortage of fuel and forex.
