Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha has assured people of the Northern Region that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)- led administration remains committed to completing major infrastructure projects in the region.
These include the Rumphi–Nyika Road, the Chitipa–Ilomba Road and the upgrading of Mzuzu Airport.
Mwanamvekha made the remarks in Parliament on Tuesday in Lilongwe.
He said the government has put in place alternative financing mechanisms to ensure the projects are implemented despite budgetary constraints.
He explained that most of the projects will be financed outside the national budget through treasury bonds and other development financing arrangements with its development partners.
“Most of the funds reflected in the budget blueprint are earmarked for consultancies and compensation processes, while the actual implementation of development projects will be supported through treasury bonds and other financial arrangements,” said Mwanamvekha.
The minister was responding to concerns raised by Member of Parliament for Rumphi West, Yona Dadawiza Mkandawire, during his submission on the national budget presented in Parliament.
Mkandawire expressed concern over the poor state of the road network in the Northern Region.
He urged the government to allocate adequate resources toward road construction and other development initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and transforming the region.
By Hassan Phiri
