National News

Road wears out 2 years after construction

The Chilinde Parish Napham Road has started wearing out barely two years after construction.

Driving on the road, one would think that it was built many years ago.

The 1.52-kilometre road  has already developed 50 potholes.

Part of the road showing potholes

Meanwhile, Lilongwe City Council (LCC) believes that the situation is due to the material that was used during construction.

LCC spokesperson Tamara Chafunya said the contractor used capseal when applying tar to the road’s surface.

“Capseal is of fairly  low cost and durability as compared to asphalt,” she said.

Roads Fund Administration (RFA) spokesperson Masauko Ngwaluko said there is a directive that all city roads must be of asphalt, but this was after the council had already entered into an agreement with the contractor.

One of the road users, Andrew Masina, expressed dissatisfaction with the road.

He said: “When this project started we hoped it would change the location’s outlook and make driving comfortable, but what happened was the opposite.”

Masina wondered why similar projects in other cities produce durable infrastructure. The project’s budget was about K340 million.

Mid last year, RFA board of directors directed that all roads must be of asphalt and they must have good drainage systems. n

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