The Minister of Finance Felix Mlusu has outlined that the rehabilitation of M1 road has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic,  as officials from the European Union committed to financing the project but are restricted to travelling conditions.

“ We are telling them that we have to rehabilitate the road as soon as possible.” said Mlusu, “But they have to do their own planning and see when it is convenient and safe for them to come and meet with us,”

Meanwhile, the government is yet to pay road contractors a sum of k79 billion owed. The Ministry of Finance spokesperson Williams Banda said that the Treasury will not release the funds until national audit reports are available. “The government has to pay the arrears but, for the government to pay them, the rule is that there must be thorough verification by the National Audit [Office],” he said