Citizens Demand Mota Engil & Roads Authority To Reconstruct Bus Stage

Concerned citizens in the area of senior chief Chimwala in Mangochi district have planned a peaceful march on Friday 15th February to demand Mota Engil and Roads Authority to reconstruct Chimwala bus stage.

The group says the bus stage has been removed in the current plan of reconstructing Mangochi-Liwonde road.

According to a notice letter with signatories from Fly Ngulumba chairperson, Issah Chimwala secretary, Yahaya Issa treasurer and Yasin Mailos a member the moving of the bus stop will affect communities in accessing services since the place has a public hospital, magistrate court and teacher development centre.

They have threatened not to allow any vehicle to pass the road if their demands are not considered by Sunday 17th February.

The group has also asked the police to provide adequate security during the activity.

They have stated that are law abiding people hence staging a peaceful demonstration against the idea of removing the bus stop at Chimwala Trading Centre.

Commenting public relations officer for Mota Engil Thomas Chafunya refused to give more details about the matter saying that they are just contractors hence referring our reporter to Roads Authority for clarification about the concerns.

But Chafunya was quick to mention that the issue is being discussed between the community and relevant authorities.

Chafunya pointed out that they can comment if there is conflict between their workers and the community.

Reacting spokesperson of Roads Authority Portia Kajanga said the concerns are genuine but refuted the removal of the bus stop in their planning sheet.

She said the level of the road construction is yet to the stage they are supposed to put the bus stop hence asked patience from the community.

When commenting on the update of Mangochi-Liwonde road Kajanga said almost 65 kilomentres have been filled with the tar and remaining with 10 kilometres.

She further said the job is expected to be accomplished by April this year.

But Kajanga has also acknowledged the delay of the 29.5 million kwacha Mangochi-Liwonde road project due to some hiccups the contractor experienced within the given period.

Kajanga asked the community to go for dialogue if they notice anything wrong rather than going to the street to demonstrate.

She has therefore appealed for community ownership in protecting the road signs and desist from encroaching road reserve which affects development projects.