Farmers cultivating crops along road reserves risk losing their fields as the Roads Authority warns that the illegal practice is destroying road infrastructure and increasing maintenance costs across Malawi.
Speaking in an interview, Lawrent Kumchenga the Authority’s Public Relations Officer said road reserves are legally protected areas set aside for future road expansion, maintenance operations, drainage systems, road safety improvements, and installation of utility services.
“Farming activities within these reserved areas not only violate the law but also pose a threat to the integrity and safety of road infrastructure,” he said.
To address the damage, he said the Authority is conducting nationwide sensitisation campaigns to educate communities on the importance of preserving road reserves and complying with the Public Roads Act.
The campaigns aim to raise awareness that cultivating or constructing within road reserves without written consent is prohibited.
He added that the Authority is issuing stop orders under Section 44 of the Public Roads Act to individuals found encroaching on road reserves and the notices require offenders to cease activities immediately and restore affected areas where necessary.
However, the Authority is reminding the public that encroachment constitutes an offence under Section 66 of the Public Roads Act and may attract penalties of up to MK20 million in fines and imprisonment for up to five years.
Kumchenga also said that the Authority is working with district councils, traditional leaders, local authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders to prevent farming practices that contribute to soil erosion and damage to roads,
The approach includes community awareness meetings, stakeholder engagement sessions, and joint inspections to identify and address encroachment before it escalates.
Speaking in an interview, Lawrent Kumchenga the Authority’s Public Relations Officer said road reserves are legally protected areas set aside for future road expansion, maintenance operations, drainage systems, road safety improvements, and installation of utility services.
“Farming activities within these reserved areas not only violate the law but also pose a threat to the integrity and safety of road infrastructure,” he said.
To address the damage, he said the Authority is conducting nationwide sensitisation campaigns to educate communities on the importance of preserving road reserves and complying with the Public Roads Act.
The campaigns aim to raise awareness that cultivating or constructing within road reserves without written consent is prohibited.
He added that the Authority is issuing stop orders under Section 44 of the Public Roads Act to individuals found encroaching on road reserves and the notices require offenders to cease activities immediately and restore affected areas where necessary.
However, the Authority is reminding the public that encroachment constitutes an offence under Section 66 of the Public Roads Act and may attract penalties of up to MK20 million in fines and imprisonment for up to five years.
Kumchenga also said that the Authority is working with district councils, traditional leaders, local authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders to prevent farming practices that contribute to soil erosion and damage to roads,
The approach includes community awareness meetings, stakeholder engagement sessions, and joint inspections to identify and address encroachment before it escalates.
