Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kondwani Nankhumwa said this in Blantyre when he launched the project of upgrading Blantyre City Roads.

Nankhumwa said a good road network facilitates easy transportation of goods and services thereby providing opportunities for trade.

According to motorists and residents of the City of Blantyre the city’s roads have dilapidated to a point that economic activities have been negatively affected.

Chimwankhunda Living Waters Church road is one of the six roads expected to benefit from the 1.8 billion Kwacha local fund.

Speaking after launching the project, the Minister said the upgrading of the city's roads will among other benefits ease transportation of goods and services.

Nankhumwa also reiterated government’s commitment in developing the country’s major cities through improved road networks.

However, Nankhumwa warned against vandalism of road signs and street lights which he said constitutes a punishable crime.

"The cost of re-fixing such infrastructure eats into funds that would have gone into other needy areas. The dark streets in our city are also a recipe for crime," said Nankhumwa.

The Mayor for Blantyre City Noel Chalamanda disclosed that other roads to be upgraded under the project include Off Mugabe Highway, Angelo-Manje, Chilomoni Ringroad, Chimsewu-Magalasi and Landrover-Chilimba.

Chalamanda said the city council is also fixing street lights in the city.

Under the project, Lilongwe and Blantyre cities have been allocated 1.8 billion Kwacha each while Mzuzu has got 1.4 billion Kwacha and Zomba One billion Kwacha for city roads upgrading.