By Suleman Chitera
Transport and Public Works Minister Feston Kaupa has issued a firm call for swift corrective action following serious damage to key bridges around Mpasazi and Nkhamenya in Kasungu District, warning that delays could cripple mobility, trade, and safety.
Kaupa made the remarks on Wednesday during an inspection of the M1 Road, where floods triggered by relentless rainfall have severely damaged road infrastructure. Swollen rivers have overwhelmed several structures, leaving critical sections of the highway vulnerable and disrupting movement for motorists and transporters.
The minister met with the road contractor, Mota-Engil engineers, and government officials on site to establish the full extent of the damage and to agree on priority interventions requiring immediate attention. He stressed that emergency repairs must proceed without delay to restore access and reduce risks to road users.
Beyond short-term fixes, Kaupa said the assessment will guide longer-term engineering solutions aimed at improving road safety and reinforcing bridges to withstand future flooding events, which have become increasingly frequent and destructive.
The push for urgency follows a directive from President Peter Mutharika, who has ordered the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, alongside the Roads Authority, to carry out a nationwide inspection of bridges damaged during the current rainy season.
With the M1 serving as a vital economic artery linking regions and facilitating cross-border trade, government faces mounting pressure to act decisively—before temporary damage escalates into a full-blown transport crisis.
