By Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE (MaraviPost) — Blantyre South East Member of Parliament Jeremiah Jumbe has called on the government to prioritize construction of a Blantyre bypass road, saying the project is essential for easing congestion and boosting the city’s long-term development.

Speaking in an interview with The MaraviPost on Wednesday, Jumbe said the proposed road would reduce traffic pressure in the city center and open new areas for investment, residential growth, and commercial expansion.

Jumbe argued that development efforts currently taking place in major cities particularly Lilongwe must be matched with similar infrastructure projects in Blantyre to ensure balanced national progress.

“Road infrastructure is a key driver of development,” he said. “I would love to see government continue the development agenda that President Peter Mutharika launched in 2019. Constructing a bypass road for Blantyre would significantly align the city with the improvements we are seeing elsewhere.”

The lawmaker noted that Blantyre’s rapid population growth and increasing vehicle traffic demand modern road networks to support economic productivity.

Jumbe also emphasized that opening new transport corridors would stimulate private sector activity, attract investors, and create job opportunities for local communities.

Residents and business owners have long expressed concerns over traffic congestion in Blantyre, especially during peak hours. A bypass road has been proposed several times over the past decade, but implementation has stalled due to funding limitations and shifting government priorities.

Jumbe said he intends to lobby both the Ministry of Transport and Parliament’s Public Works Committee to revive feasibility studies and push the project back onto the national agenda.

“The people of Blantyre deserve modern infrastructure and we cannot grow our economy if our roads remain outdated and overwhelmed.”he said.

The Maravi Post