By Suleman Chitera
The Makanjira Development Foundation has welcomed government’s decision to include the long-awaited Mangochi–Makanjira Road in the national budget, describing it as a positive step towards addressing infrastructure challenges in the area.
Presenting the budget statement in Parliament, Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha announced that the Ministry of Transport and Public Works has been allocated K664 billion to facilitate the rehabilitation and construction of 21 roads nationwide, among them the Mangochi–Makanjira Road.
Reacting to the development in an interview with Radio Islam, Makanjira Development Foundation Chairperson Ousmane Kennedy said the inclusion of the road in the budget reflects government’s commitment to improving connectivity in the lakeshore district.
Kennedy noted that the current state of the road continues to cause significant hardships for residents, affecting mobility, trade and access to essential services.
However, he emphasized that allocating funds alone is not sufficient without clear implementation plans.
“Government must clearly outline when the construction will begin, how much of the allocated resources will specifically go towards this road, and the timeframe for completing the project,” said Kennedy.
The Mangochi–Makanjira Road has for years been a concern for residents, who argue that its poor condition has slowed socio-economic development in the area.
