Nsanje chiefs want 72-km rail project expedited

Chiefs in Nsanje led by Senior Chief Malemia have thrown their weight behind the 72-kilometre (km) Bangula-Marka Railway construction project.

In an interview on Wednesday at Bangula in the district, the chiefs said the railway project has the potential to change the landscape of the district and contribute to its socio-economic development.

“This project will not only benefit people of Nsanje District but the whole of the country as well. We wanted the project as soon as yesterday,” said Malemia.

“The project will help to create the much-needed jobs and is in line with the Tonse Alliance administration agenda of creating jobs.”

He said they are not concerned about procurement issues and the contractor to undertake the job, stressing that what they want is for the project to take off.

Group village head Nyanga said the railway line will help to reduce transport cost and prices of goods.

“What we want is for the project to start immediately. We want development in the district. We have waited for this project for a long time,” he said.

Nsanje Lalanje ward councillor Akim Bingo said the railway project is a game-changer in as far as development in the district is concerned.

“Businesses will thrive and a number of jobs will be created because of this project,” he said.

On Tuesday this week, President Lazarus Chakwera expressed frustration over delays hampering implementation of the project, which has missed its completion deadline.

During State House Briefing at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, presidential press secretary Anthony Kasunda said the President’s frustration was particularly on the slow procurement procedures.

“The President is determined to have the project done as soon as possible,” he said. 

Kasunda said the President has made sure that institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority and others are empowered to identify and stop acts of misprocurement.

The railway project was mooted in October 2020 after Chakwera met his Mozambican counterpart Felipe Nyusi and agreed to revive the Sena Corridor to link the two countries by rail. 

The corridor provides rail connection to Beira Port in Mozambique.

Mozambique completed its 44km section from Mutarara to Marka while Malawi is yet to start works on the project.

Procurement processes such as evaluation of bids were completed in December 2020 and in May last year the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to have the rehabilitation works of the railway line completed by March 2022.

Last year, Portuguese multidisciplinary and construction conglomerate Mota-Engil emerged as the successful lowest bidder for the contract with an offer of K48 billion, but the ACB nullified the tender, citing procurement irregularities.

Ministry of Transport and Public Works retendered the project and last month settled for a Chinese firm, China 20, at a cost of about K68 billion.

After the announcement of intention to award the contract to China 20, some people are mobilising communities in Nsanje to frustrate the project on allegations that the contractor built a substandard road from Nsanje to Marka.