President Lazarus Chakwera has described the Mangochi-Makanjira road project as crucial for social-economic development of the country.
He made the remarks Saturday during the signing ceremony of memorundum of understanding between Malawi and the Saudi Kingdom on the Mangochi-Makanjira road project at the Saudi Development Fund offices in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Chakwera hailed the cordial relationship between Malawi and Saudi Arabia which he said is based on trust and dating back to 1999.
“I am extremely grateful with the relationship with Saudi Arabia which has since taken us to other levels; for example, the Mangochi-Makanjira road project which will have potential to facilitate inter and intra trade activities,” said the President.
Chakwera highlighted that Saudi Arabia also supported Malawi with Phalombe District Hospital and the Makwasa-Bangula road, among other projects.
He disclosed that apart from the Mangochi-Makanjira road, government will also prioritise more road infrastructure developments in all the three regions of the country.
Apart from signing the Mangochi-Makanjira road project agreement, Chakwera added that he has also asked the Saudi Arabian government to assist Malawi with fuel and fertiliser issues.
Meanwhile, the President has invited mining investors from Saudi Arabia to come to Malawi and explore the existing opportunities.
On his part, Chief Executive Officer for the Saudi Development Fund, Sultan Alamarshand, said Saudi Arabia will speed up the process for the project to start.
He said he was happy with Chakwera’s commitment as shown by his availability at the signing ceremony of the Mangochi-Makanjira road project.
Alamarshand said Saudi Arabia has set aside over $20 million for the commencement of the Mangochi-Makanjira road and assured Malawi of the Kingdom’s willingness to support Malawi with other development projects.
Reported by Maston Kaiya in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
