One of the two organisations born out of the separation of functions of the National Road Authority, The Roads Authority owes its existence to an Act of parliament that was decreed in 2006. Under this setup, the Minister of Transport and Public Works represents the Malawian Government as the ultimate owner of the national road network. The RA falls under this Minister and comprises a Board with a Secretariat.

WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

A LONG ROAD AND A GOOD ONE

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MALAWI ROADS AUTHORITYWWW.RA.ORG.MW

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MALAWI ROADS AUTHORITY

Malawi is a country highly reliant on the Government to provide infrastructure for its economy and commerce to grow. The Roads Authority, therefore, has a lot on their

shoulders to keep the roads underfoot and ‘underwheel’ as reliable as possible. Ben explains that a vision is important to create a complete cohesion of all departments and ensures that they can be the best agent authority in the management of public road networks as possible and facilitate the wishes and decisions of the ministry in charge.

“We have to develop and maintain the public road network infrastructure in as cost effective a manner as possible and provide a transport system that is not only accessible and reliable but economically and environmentally friendly,” he says, “To achieve this we have a highly motivated and professional team who adhere to and follow our core values.”

These core values are simultaneously broad yet focussed, aimed at encouraging the individual to strive towards achieving the very best in their roles. This includes a drive to perform effectively, efficiently and economically while carrying out all work to acceptable design standards and specifications, while making full use of local resources and ensuring compliance with environmental and road safety regulations.

“One of the things we believe is important is to not micro manage,” Ben explains, “But rather assure that managers are given mandate to manage as partners to achieve their goals while holding themselves totally accountable for their actions and targets.”

As this deals with the fate of the people of Malawi, a board of directors, comprising of ten members, has been set up to represent the private and public sectors who govern the Road Authority, as Ben explains. This board defines the overall policy of the Authority

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We spoke with COO Engineer Ben Kapoteza regarding the company and he diligently explained that the main objectives of the RA is to ensure that the construction of public roads is coupled with high levels of maintenance and rehabilitation at all times and to advise the Minister and Minister of Local Government on the preparation and effective implementation of the annual national road programmes.

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and sets the general conditions for its operations. The members are from the Road Transport Operators Association, the Bus and Taxi Operators Association, the National Road Safety Council, a representative of the Local Government Association, two representatives from the National Construction Industry Council and two members of the public, representing the general interests of the public.

The Secretary for Transport and Public Works and the Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development are ex-officio members. Each board member, other than the ex-officio members, has a three-year term. The Board of Directors elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman from amongst their number.

Environment considerations have become a central issue in the socio-economic development of any country. Whatever the development agenda any country is, it has to take into consideration the impact of such agendas or policiesa on the environment. Ben tells us that the Roads Authority is committed to ensuring proper environmental management and endeavours to use the best practices in environment management.

“This was established in 2003, through the support of the World Bank. The Unit is responsible for Environmental and Social

Management of all projects executed by the Roads Authority,” Ben says, “The Unit collaborates with the Environmental Management Task Force in promoting environmental planning and management in Road Infrastructure Development.”

THE ALL UNIFYING, ALL ENCOMPASSING VISIONThe aim is that by the year 2020, the Malawi designated public

road network will be developed and maintained to a standard where all motorised and non-motorised traffic can reach every society of the country in as safe and as reliable manner as possible, at all times of the year.

Bringing with it the rise in economic strength that good, safe infrastructure ensures, this mission is guided by a business and strategic plan that is regularly reviewed and has the strategic approach of ensuring accessibility on all designated roads through newly introduced Routine Term Maintenance Contracts, which will initially run for one year. This is a systematic rehabilitation of bitumen roads which have outlived their design life, with the aim of reducing maintenance costs and the connecting of all district centres with bitumen roads.

Additionally, they ensure timely implementation of periodic

MALAWI ROADS AUTHORITY

maintenance to prevent further deterioration of roads, while constructing new roads based on Malawi Government priorities as approved by Economic Planning and Development (EP & D) with funding from Donors. Among other priority areas requiring such improved road infrastructure is tourism.

Using the Low Volume Sealed Roads Concept, they seek to reduce unpaved road networks by gradually upgrading some unpaved roads to bitumen standard. This will assist in reducing maintenance and vehicle operating costs and the gradual replacement of timber-deck bridges with concrete decks with the aim of reducing maintenance costs and environmental degradation.

There are a handful of new developments that are exciting Ben at the moment, these include the upgrading and dualisation of Masauko Chipembere Highway in the City of Blantyre and the South Rukuru Bridge, which is being funded by Jiica at an estimated cost of ¥776,000,000.00 awarded to Dai Nippon Construction under supervision of Central Consultant Inc. The consultancy contract is ¥105,200,000.00.

“It’s a long road,” Ben says, “But a good one.”

“One of the things we believe is important is to not micro manage but rather assure that managers are given mandate to manage as partners to achieve their goals while holding themselves totally accountable for their actions and targets.”