Malawi’s renowned Governance and Human Rights Advocate Undule Mwakasungula has described the reopening of the Marka Border Railway Line and the inauguration of petroleum supply as a great step towards reducing the cost of transporting petroleum in the country.
Mwakasungula said this will eventually ease the burden that ordinary Malawians have been shouldering due to the high cost of goods and services.
He made the sentiments in a statement issued on Wednesday, a day after President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera oversaw the reopening of the railway line in Nsanje.
“The reopening of the Marka Border Railway Station and the arrival of 1.2 million liters of petroleum products from Beira, Mozambique, by President Dr Lazarus Chakwera is a great step forward for Malawi. After being inactive for 42 years, this railway line is now operational again, and its benefits are clear. It offers the shortest and most cost-effective route to bring fuel into the country, compared to the longer routes from Nacala and Dar es Salaam. This development will help reduce transportation costs and ease the burden on ordinary Malawians,” said Mwakasungula.
According to Mwakasungula, the event also marks an important chapter in improving trade and transportation for Malawi as the railway line will not only transport fuel, but also be used to carry other goods, helping the country grow its trade links, especially with neighboring Mozambique.
“It is a big win for our economy and could help position Malawi as a stronger player in regional trade. It is not a secret that President Chakwera’s leadership in making this possible shows the importance of focusing on practical, long-term solutions that benefit the country. The reopening of the railway is a clear example of how infrastructure improvements can have a direct, positive impact on our economy and the lives of our people,” he said.
But the advocate emphasized the need for all Malawians, whether in support of the government, in opposition or critics, to recognize the value of such developments, stressing that this has nothing to do with politics, but national progress.
“Development projects like these should be acknowledged and supported by everyone, as they help move the country forward. This achievement also teaches us that investing in neglected areas like transport infrastructure could bring about great benefits when properly managed. As we look ahead, it is clear that focusing on these kinds of projects could help Malawi grow stronger and improve the quality of life for its people. The railway line is just the beginning of what could be achieved when we come together as a nation to support initiatives that promote economic development.
“The reopening of this railway line is a moment of pride for Malawi, and we should all take a moment to appreciate how far we’ have come. This success should motivate us to continue working towards a better future for our country,” said Mwakasungula.