3.1: Road Transport
Reduce the cost of road transportation in order to contribute positively to economic growth. Other Information:
High transport costs and poor access to some parts of the country remain an important threat to fostering economic growth
in Malawi. High transport costs partly result from the country'slandlockedpositionandsmallmarketsizeandalsofromthecontinuing
inefficient operating environment faced by the domestic and international operators in spite of liberalization of the transport
sector. Poor access roads mainly result from the deterioratingconditionofthecountry'soverallroadnetwork,especiallyintherural
areas. This problem is compounded by the enormous backlog for maintenance of the road infrastructure, unsafe and impassable
road network (37 percent is in poor condition), lack of competition, and high road taxes which increases the cost of trucking.
Poor quality feeder roads also impact on the ability of rural areas to engage in economic activities. Key Strategies -- The
strategies will concentrate on ensuring availability of adequate, safe, reliable, efficientandeconomicaltransportservicesinkeycorridorsthatmeetthecountry's
current road transport needs and aligned to the future vision. Main strategies will include: * Providing adequate network
of roads based on appropriate standards through rehabilitationandupgradingof"allweather"roadstomeetsub-regional agreed standards;
* Undertaking routine road maintenance to clear backlog through use of modified"Performance-BasedTermMaintenanceContracts";
* Building the capacity of local private sector to construct quality roads; * Replacing timber-deck bridges with concrete
decks; * Maintaining urban and rural road networks; * Upgrading all unpaved roads from fair to good condition; * Involving
the private sector in the monitoring and operations of road transport services; * Implementing appropriate road user charges;
* Harmonisingthecountry'shighwaycode,roadsigns,signalsandaxle-load regulations within the region; * Improving information
coordination on the flow of regional and international cargo through the development of private sector freight forwarding
companies; and * Creating one stop border post on all major transport corridors to allow for the smooth flow of traffic and
developing an integrated approach to road safety.
Indicator(s):
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