Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jappie Mhango, has told Parliament that government is making gradual progress in improving the country’s road network despite ongoing financial challenges.

Mhango said the Road Fund Administration (RFA) collected K73 billion in the first quarter following the reintroduction of the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM), with the revenue being used for road maintenance and rehabilitation.

He said government has also secured financing from commercial banks to support the construction of new roads.

The minister acknowledged that limited resources continue to affect project implementation but said Treasury has begun paying contractors working on priority roads, including Kaunda Road and the M1 in Lilongwe.

Responding to concerns over political interference in road contracts, Mhango told Parliament that government will only implement projects with secured funding, adding that some projects launched about three months before elections were politically motivated and lacked corresponding financial resources.

He said such projects will not be prioritised, with government instead focusing on projects that can be completed.

Aspolo Mousah – Staff reporter, Lilongwe