By Chisomo Phiri

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Transport and Public Works Minister Jappie Mhango has directed contractors working on the Kaunda Road improvement project in Lilongwe to urgently carry out temporary repairs to ease traffic movement amid delays in the main construction works.

Mhango issued the directive on Tuesday January 13, 2026,during an inspection tour of the 8.5-kilometre stretch, which runs from Mchinji Roundabout through Area 25 to Kanengo and is being upgraded by Plem Construction Limited.

The minister noted that the project, which was scheduled for completion within 18 months, has fallen significantly behind schedule.

He expressed concern over the pace of work and instructed the contractor to patch potholes and ensure the road remains passable as authorities wait for the rainy season to subside to allow full-scale construction to resume.

On his part,Roads Authority(RA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ammiel Champiti attributed part of the delay to the late relocation of water pipes and electricity poles by Lilongwe Water Board and the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM).

He said the authority is engaging the two parastatals to resolve the outstanding issues and prevent further delays.

The K38 billion project is currently only 10 percent complete, despite about 80 percent of the scheduled project time having elapsed.