By Burnett Munthali

The road rehabilitation within the capital city of Lilongwe ends at the mosque popularly known as “Pamzikiti.”

This abrupt ending has raised questions among residents and observers about the project’s planning, execution, and overall direction.

The initial intention of this project was to ensure that all roads within the city be rehabilitated.

It was a bold and ambitious plan aimed at modernizing Lilongwe’s infrastructure, improving transportation, and enhancing the city’s aesthetic and economic appeal.

However, it now appears that the funds allocated for this project have been exhausted before completion.

This sudden halt is not just a matter of inconvenience but a symbol of deeper systemic issues in public project implementation and fiscal management.

One interesting observation about this project is the unusually long period it has taken to be completed—from 2020 to 2025—almost five years.

In a city with growing traffic and increasing demands for urban development, such delays significantly affect productivity, public trust, and mobility.

Reports indicate that the initial road contractors for this network rehabilitation project were Mota-Engil during the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government under President Peter Mutharika.

This phase of the project was backed by funding sourced from Japan, reflecting bilateral cooperation with developmental intentions.

However, the 2020 presidential election court case dramatically shifted the political landscape.

The court ruled in favor of a fresh election, which brought in the Tonse Alliance government under President Lazarus Chakwera.

With a new administration came a shift in priorities and changes in how national projects were managed.

The Tonse Alliance government reallocated construction contracts, choosing new companies to continue and complete the road rehabilitation project.

As part of this restructuring, a Chinese company was identified to work on the section of the road that includes the one ending at Pamzikiti.

This same Chinese company is also currently working on the Lilongwe Bridge, signaling a broader engagement with Chinese contractors in Malawi’s infrastructure sector.

While the reasons for the reallocation may have included cost efficiency, capacity, or political considerations, the outcome has been a project dragged across two administrations with inconsistent progress.

This transition between governments and contractors may also explain the delays, budget issues, and apparent disconnect between the project’s initial scope and its current status.

Citizens, especially in urban centers like Lilongwe, deserve clarity and accountability on projects funded in their name.

Transparency in procurement processes, clarity on project timelines, and regular updates to the public would go a long way in rebuilding confidence in public infrastructure initiatives.

Furthermore, the recurring reliance on foreign contractors—whether Portuguese, Japanese-funded, or Chinese—raises concerns about local capacity development and the long-term sustainability of infrastructure management in Malawi.

This road rehabilitation project is more than just asphalt and machinery; it reflects a story of ambition, disruption, and the need for consistency in governance.

Moving forward, stakeholders must ensure that such vital projects are protected from political transitions and bureaucratic inefficiencies.

Only then can Malawi achieve the infrastructural transformation it urgently needs and deserves.