LILONGWE, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Shandong Luqiao Group Co., Ltd, the Chinese contractor working on the reconstruction and upgrading of a 9.5-km stretch of Malawi's backbone M1 Road in the Malawian capital of Lilongwe, has completed the main works on the project.
He Liren, the Chinese representative of the project, said this in an interview with Xinhua recently, adding that the Chinese contractor will hand over the road to the Malawian government soon.
"We've completed up to 96 percent of the project and, currently, we are working on ancillary works such as drainage, traffic lights and street lights. We are going to finish all remaining work soon and by the end of this year, we'll hand over the road to the Malawian government to improve public transportation," said He.
The project commenced in December 2021 and involved upgrading the road from two lanes to four, with independent bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides.
The main works of the road project included the reconstruction of two bridges: one measuring 67 meters long across the Lingadzi River, one of the main rivers in Lilongwe, and another over a railway near Kanengo, the capital's industrial area.
The road project has, over its 3-year duration, offered employment to more than 600 skilled and unskilled Malawians, according to He.
He described the project as a "high-level" endeavor as being a key section of the country's main road, it will play a vital role in welcoming foreign guests to Malawi from Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe.
He added that as the project comes to an end, the Chinese company is satisfied with the quality of work, as evidenced by the appreciation shown by locals after using the road.
Innocent Simba, one of the local employees at the project site, told Xinhua that he has learned a lot from the Chinese contractor, including the spirit of hard work.
"I'm very happy to be part of this development and I'd like to urge the Malawian government to continue partnering with the Chinese government for more such projects," explained Simba.
Other Chinese companies that are carrying out construction works in Malawi include China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and China Railway 20th Bureau Group Corporation Limited, according to Malawi's Ministry of Transport and Public Works. ■