By Linda Kwanjana

Civil works on the rehabilitation of M1 road has officially started.

According to reports reaching this publication, diversions have already started being created from Mponela.

What it means is that motorists will be using the diversions while the contractor will be working on the road.

Many have described M1 road as a death trap.

President Dr Lazarus Chakwera launched the project on 12 July, 2022.

During the launch Chakwera said the rehabilitation of M1 Road is crucial to the economic development of the country.

Dr Chakwera while speaking at Mtiti Primary School Ground in Dowa during a development rally held after unveiling a plaque marking the official launch of the M1 Road rehabilitation works said by constructing the M1 road, he is sending a message to Malawians that development matters and should benefit all Malawians from Nsanje to Chitipa.

Dr Chakwera then thanked the European Investment Bank and the European Union for financing the project which he said will create over 4000 jobs in the country.

He said the over 300 kilometres stretch will also help provide confidence to development partners that even dualisation of the same road shortly will be possible.

The President, therefore, warned corrupt individuals to stay away from the project or face the law.

In his remarks, the representative of the European Investment Bank in Southern Africa, Jim Hodges, said they have committed huge sums of money after looking at the importance of the project.

His words were echoed by the former European Union representative to Malawi, Bartek Studniarask, who said the road offers a great opportunity to Malawi as the country needs to fully engage in international trade.