I will change the face of our cities – Mutharika

President Peter Mutharika says Malawi’s cities will be transformed under his administration through construction of dual roads.

Mutharika made the remarks during ground-breaking ceremony for a dual carriageway between Blantyre City Centre and Chileka Airport at Mankhokwe ground on Saturday.

He said construction of the dual carriageway between the airport and the city is part of his government’s vision for a modern Chileka International Airport.

“In our vision, we expect to have a bigger airport that will bring more airplanes. It will mean more traffic between the airport and the city. That is why we need this dual carriageway,” he said.

Mutharika added that similar projects are also being carried out in Lilongwe and Mzuzu. In the capital city, the road between Parliament and Bingu National Stadium is being turned into a dual road.

“We are also planning to construct a dual carriageway from Kamuzu International Airport to Crossroads. We are about to expand Kamuzu International Airport. We need a dual carriageway from the airport.

“From Mchinji Roundabout at Crossroads, I also want to see a new dual carriageway crossing Lilongwe River, past Lilongwe Old Town to Biwi. This road will be funded by the Japanese and designs are in the final stages,” he said.

Mutharika added that his government will also construct a dual carriageway in Mzuzu from Mchengautuwa, past Katoto Roundabout to Mzuzu University.

On Chileka, Mutharika noted that the area has a unique place in Malawi’s cultural heritage since it has produced a number of famous musicians.

He said his government will preserve that heritage by constructing a community college in the area.

“I want that community technical college to have a department of music to keep heritage,” Mutharika said. “In fact, we will name the community college after one of the musicians.”