Ministry of Transport and Public Works says it is consulting stakeholders on plans to establish Railways and Maritime Regulatory Authority of Malawi to oversee the two subsectors.

The 2017-2037 Malawi National Transport Master Plan proposes the establishment of the authority to manage and regulate the transport subsectors.

In an interview yesterday, Secretary for Transport and Public Works Bright Kumwembe said they are making progress with the consultations.

He said: “First round of our consultations was done and we will have a second round to get input from all relevant stakeholders on the development. We will then release reports pertaining to the consultations.”

Kumwembe said they plan to establish the authority this year.

The Department of Marine Services currently regulates and runs the country’s water transport following the termination of concession agreements that the government had with private investor Mota Engil.

The transport master plan also proposes the establishment of Urban Areas Transport Authority, Road Haulage Industry Council National Transport Council, among others.

In reaction, Human Rights Defenders Coalition chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa said government must exercise caution when creating institutions.

He said: “The intention to establish the regulatory authority may be good, but the key test will be whether this new institution improves services enough to justify the additional cost to taxpayers.”

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