Dr Chakwera was speaking at Nkaya in Balaka when he officially opened the Shire North Railway Bridge.
He said he was aware that many investors have expressed interest in developing the country’s railway system but many have ended up being frustrated due to delays and long consultations in the Government machinery.
“I know that Malawi has so much goodwill around the world, but often Government institutions sit on those proposals and investors tired of waiting take their investments to other countries,” bemoaned Dr Chakwera.
The Malawi leader added that the tendency of tossing around potential investors to various Government offices is not helping the country.
Said the Malawi leader: “I want this nonsense to stop because it is scaring away investors and developers. I can assure you that for every company that secures a contract to build a road or rail in Malawi, twenty others give up on helping us because our process for contracting out infrastructural projects like this are too unclear, too long, too slow, and too cumbersome.
“I am therefore directing the Minister of Transport to fix this mess. I want you to work with other relevant MDAs to create a clear process that tells investors where and when the process starts and ends; a smart process that separates real investors who have money in the bank and are ready to build the infrastructure we need from the pretenders who just want a contract so that they can use it to raise money."
Meanwhile, the President has pledged that his Administration will revamp the country's railway system.
He, therefore, said the Shire North Railway Bridge will not only connect Limbe and Nkaya but also spur economic growth.
He, therefore, reiterated that one of the priorities of his Administration is to improve the railway services.
“The opening of this New Shire North, which ensures complete connectivity between Limbe and Nkaya is a great step in the right direction. It will not only reduce transportation costs but spur development as well. The USD13 million (MK10.5 billion) that has been spent on the construction of this railway bridge is a worthy investment. I am confident that this will allow the trains to increase their frequency, which, in turn, increase economic activity for local businesses and communities alike” said the Malawi leader
In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer of the Central East Africa Railways (CEAR), Wellington Soares, says the newly constructed bridge will ease transport hurdles. Apart from enabling the provision of passenger services the railway will enhance the movement of huge loads of goods such as fertilisers and coal.
CEAR has since pledged to rehabilitate all the existing bridges between Limbe and Nkaya and says it will continue to make investments in the railway sector of the country.
The bridge connects Balaka, Zomba and Blantyre districts.
It is also in line with the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy 3 and the National Transport Master Plan which articulates Government's aspirations as regards the transport sector.
The 165 km bridge is expected to increase the carriage of Cargo between Malawi and the port of Nacala in Mozambique. The bridge can accommodate 20.5 tonne axle loads a departure from the previous one which had a capacity of 15 tonnes.
