• Reference: P-MW-DB0-011
• Approval date: 22/05/2009
• Start date: 24/05/2011
• Appraisal Date: 01/03/2009
• Status: OngoingOnGo
• Implementing Agency: NATIONAL ROAD AUTHORITHY
• Location: BLANTYRE,ZOMBA MZUZU ,MZIMBA DISTRICTS

The project comprises the following components: (a) Civil works for;

(i) Rehabilitation of the Blantyre-Zomba Road (59 km);

(ii) Rehabilitation of the Mzuzu-Nkhata Bay Road (47km);

(b) Consultancy services for:

(i) Supervision of civil works for the above;

(ii) The feasibility and detail engineering design studies for the Ntcheu- Neno-Tsangano-Mwanza Road;

(c) Compensation and resettlement and

(d) Audit services.

The specific objective is Improve the quality of transport services on the Blantyre-Zomba and Mzuzu-Nkhata Bay roads and improve accessibility of the local communities to markets and social services thereby contributing to the reduction of poverty.

Government's policy on transport has reinforced the thrust of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) by recognizing the importance of infrastructure as critical to economic growth and poverty reduction. A good transport system is a catalyst to enhanced economic activity, through participation of communities in income generating initiatives and therefore poverty reduction. The biggest percentage of the population, live in rural areas and depend on subsistence agriculture for their livelihood. Currently the inadequacy of road infrastructure has negatively affected the delivery of agricultural inputs to the rural population and the transportation of outputs from these areas. The Road Sector Programme (RSP) covering the period 2007-2011 puts emphasis on the development and improvement of this road infrastructure to open up the rural areas for easy access to inputs and markets, access to health, education and other social facilities and services, at reduced cost of transport. It will also provide easy access to extension officers, resulting in the improvement of agricultural practices, increased income levels leading to better living standards of the rural poor.

The Blantyre-Zomba road is part of Route 29 of the SADC Regional Trunk Road Network linking the southern to the northern part of the country and further north to the border with Tanzania. The Mzuzu-Nkhata Bay road is part of the envisaged Mtwara Development Corridor that originates from the Mtwara port in Tanzania and extends into Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia. As such the two roads have been identified by GOM as priority for rehabilitation intervention to improve the quality of transport services. Easy access to inputs, markets, health, education and other services will increase incomes and improve living standards in line with Bank strategy of reducing poverty.

Transport is crucial in linking production centers to markets and services to the communities and enables the other sectors to participate in economic activity and growth. Improvement of the road network reduces transport costs, reduces travel time and provides benefits to communities through affordable transport thereby increasing their mobility and therefore increase economic activity. The rehabilitation of the two road sections will contribute to the achievement of the MGDS target of having 71% of the road network in good condition within the plan period.

MAKASA Davies Bwalya - OITC2

Finance source	Amount
ADF	UAC 24,104,000
Government	UAC 2,609,000
Total	UAC 26,713,000