Waiting in Vain: Road delays frustrate Makanjila residents
Some residents trying to cross one of the rivers on the Makanjila road
By Alick Majid
Residents of Traditional Authorities Lulanga and Makanjila in Mangochi District are grappling with dire infrastructure challenges, particularly during the rainy season, as promises to construct the Mangochi-Makanjila road remain unfulfilled.
Group Village Head (GVH) Kwilamba of T/A Lulanga lamented the devastating impact of heavy rains, which turn the area into an isolated “island,” cutting off access to essential services, including health facilities.
“Our roads become impassable, and our houses and toilets are often destroyed, causing cholera. During the rainy season, our area becomes like an island, and accessing health facilities like Mangochi District Hospital becomes a struggle,” he said.
GVH Kwilamba stressed the urgent need for durable housing, emergency supplies, and improved infrastructure to alleviate the community’s suffering.
“We need urgent support, including tents, chlorine, wheelbarrows, maize, tree seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation tools to help mitigate the effects of disasters in case we are affected. It’s hard for us to go anywhere,” he added.
Women in the area are among the hardest hit. Aisha Yusuf, a women’s representative, highlighted the alarming rise in maternal and infant deaths due to the long distances to health facilities like Mangochi District Hospital and Malindi Health Centre.
“Many women, especially expectant mothers, struggle to access health facilities, even during their time to deliver, which causes a high rate of maternal and infant deaths,” Yusuf explained.
For residents like Hassam Ahmed of Mpiripiri Village, hopes for change rest on the government fulfilling its promises.
Ahmed expressed optimism that 2025 could start rehabilitation for the long-awaited road project.
“Of course, this year we expect the government to assist us with a good road since we all know that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia funded the road. People from Mangochi North were very happy to hear that then. But let’s hope so,” Ahmed said.
He also noted the mobility challenges faced during the rainy season, with many turning to water transport to reach Mangochi Boma or Salima.
“Those who are capable use boats via Monkey Bay to Mangochi Boma or Senga Bay to Salima, and most of them are businesspeople. But for the ordinary people, it’s hard to use water transport,” he explained.
President Lazarus Chakwera, in November 2023, announced a US$20 million funding package from the Saudi Fund for Development for the construction of the 100-kilometer Mangochi-Makanjila road.
“This road will increase economic activity and connect communities to major markets and public facilities in the entire Eastern Region, including rural trading centres.
It is time to connect Malindi, Lungwena, Namalaka, Lugola, Bakili-Binali, Litufu, Likoloma, Mauni, Mpiripiri, Lulanga, and Fort Maguire to the rest of the national road network,” Chakwera said.
However, residents remain skeptical as progress stalls.
When contacted, Ministry of Transport Public Relations Officer Watson Maingo said consultations are ongoing, urging patience for further feedback.
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