Mchinji One-Stop-Boarder-Post Project Deadline Extends

The border post's deadline has been extended owing to COVID-19 The border post's deadline has been extended owing to COVID-19 - pic by Pilirani Tambala

Deadline for completion of Mchinji One Stop Boarder Post has been extended beyond July this year as initially planned due to Coronavirus pandemic.

Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) Head of Corporate Affairs, Steve Kapoloma, told Zodiak Online that travel restrictions in China and other countries have effected importation of some construction materials for the project to be finalized on time.

"Some of the materials used in this project are manufactured and imported from China; therefore, there have been delays in the construction works; hence pushing the completion deadline beyond July," he explained.

He, however, hinted that completion of the project being financed by African Development Bank will not go beyond the year 2020.

The Roads Authority Spokesperson, Portia Kajanga, says contractor of the project, Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Company, Afecc, asked for an extension on the completion deadline to October this year.

"We are currently reviewing the request together with our financiers and will respond to the contractor later" she said.

Transformation of the border post is part of the Nacara Road Corridor Development Project launched in April 2015 to make Nacara port more competitive for imports and exports in Malawi and Zambia.

While AfDB is financing Mchinji OSBP, Kapoloma said paperwork is being done for similar modernization of Mloza in Mulanje, Dedza, Songwe in Karonga and Mwanza border posts with $69 million funding from World Bank.

Indigenous Business Association of Malawi President, Mike Mlomba, said they cannot wait for completion of the project to enjoy the benefits especially the speed aspect for clearance of goods being imported or exported.

"Already we are feeling the pinch of Covid19 pandemic and hopefully, with speed on the borders, this will minimize the period for economic recoveries," said Mlomba.

He, nevertheless, prayed for a positive attitude among the personnel that will be deployed at the modern facility once completed because they will be in charge of expediting the process for traders.

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Last modified on Thursday, 21/05/2020

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