By Jones Gadama
Lilongwe City will never be the same again after the hardworking Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Dr. Ben Malunga Phiri on Friday launched the construction of the multi-billion Kwacha Lingadzi-Bailey Bridge and 800-metre Msokera-Cherub to Area 47 Presidential Highway access road, a project that has left residents of Area 47 and Area 49 in wild celebration.
The massive transformation project, valued at about K7.5 billion, is funded through the K15 billion allocation provided to Lilongwe City Council by the Roads Fund Administration for major urban transformation projects in the 2026/2027 financial year, and it is being implemented under the visionary leadership of President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika who has made modern infrastructure the heartbeat of his development agenda.
The project will be undertaken by the Malawi Defence Force Engineers Construction Company Ltd and is expected to be completed within 12 months, bringing to an end years of transport nightmares, dust, insecurity and poor access to social services that have haunted residents especially during peak hours.
Speaking when he presided over the historic groundbreaking ceremony, Dr. Ben Malunga Phiri said the bridge will provide a more reliable crossing over the Lingadzi River while opening up improved access for residents and businesses in surrounding communities.
Dr. Phiri, who has been described by many as one of the most hardworking, humble and results-oriented Ministers in President Mutharika’s cabinet, said modern roads and bridges are essential routes that drive economic vitality, strengthen community ties and accelerate city growth.
The Minister emphasized Government’s unwavering commitment to modernizing Lilongwe and improving the living standards of people, saying President Mutharika’s administration is determined to transform the capital city into a modern city that every Malawian will be proud of.
He expressed hope that the MDF engineers will uphold high construction standards and complete the project within the stipulated timeframe, while urging surrounding communities to support the construction process to ensure its smooth implementation.
In his remarks, Malawi Defence Force Chief of Defence, General George Jaffu said the MDF has a constitutional responsibility to contribute to national development and the road project is a perfect manifestation of that responsibility.
General Jaffu said the Malawi Defence Force is not an institution apart from the people but part of the people, and the challenges faced by residents of Lilongwe including poor road access, dust and difficulty in accessing social services affect their own families and operations.
He disclosed that under the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Lilongwe City, the MDF Corps of Engineers will provide technical expertise in road construction and supervision, engineering equipment and manpower, discipline and timely execution of works and commitment to quality and value for money.
Residents who attended the ceremony could not hide their joy, saying the bridge has been their prayer for over 20 years and finally President Mutharika has answered through his hardworking Minister Dr. Ben Phiri.
This is yet another clear testimony that when President Arthur Peter Mutharika puts a hardworking person like Dr. Ben Malunga Phiri in charge, development follows and Malawians win.
