Japan hints at more help to Malawi
The Japanese Government has hinted that it will continue helping Malawi with infrastructure development because the Asian country believes this is one of the pillars to spur economic development.
The remarks were made in Blantyre on Monday when the new Japanese Ambassador to Malawi, Kae Yanagisawa, visited to appreciate the Japanese-funded Masauko Chipembere Highway.
The ambassador is on a mission to observe Japan’s official development assistance to Malawi together with a delegation of House of Councillors of Japan.
Leader of delegation, Masahisa Sato, said his government is pleased with the standard of the road.
“We are certainly pleased with the standard of the road and this will compel us to do more,” he said.
The road was constructed at a tune of K12 billion under the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (Jica).
Apart from the infrastructure development, the Japanese Government said it is also interested in helping Malawi in agriculture, human capacity and health, specifically on hygiene.
Also present during the roadtour was Director of Engineering Services at Blantyre City Council, Grant Sichali, who said they are upbeat that the road has the best drainage system.
“It is true that most of the roads constructed these days do not comply with needful standards. But I can tell you the standards of (Masauko) Chipembere Highway are very high,” he said.
However, Sichali took the chance to plead for assistance for the improvement of the sewage system of Blantyre City, to which the Japanese hinted that it has taken notice of.
“We have to consult Jica and map the best way to address the issue,” Sato said.
The upgrading of the Masauko Chipembere Highway was done in three phases by Japanese constructors; World Kaihatsu, Kogyo Company Limited, Nippo Corporation and Shimizu Corporation.
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