Malawi President Joyce Banda on Monday said the completion of the Karonga-Chitipa Road will help the country economically.

The 101-kilometre road project was initiated by the late president Bingu wa Mutharika in 2004.

A Taiwanese company started the road construction, but dumped it after Malawi switched diplomatic ties to the People’s Republic of China.

Said Banda: “The road will be an economic benefit to the country. It also passes through the places where there is mining activity which is good for the country.”

Chinese Ambassador Pan Hejun, whose country funded the project, said the road completion is a cherished dream for Malawi.

Pan detailed many projects his country has carried out in Malawi such as the Parliament building, the five-star hotel and the Presidential Village. He also disclosed that the stadium will be constructed soon.

During the function, the People’s Party announced that several officials have defected to the party. They included MPs Etta Banda, Rabson Shawa and diplomat Greene Mwamondwe.

However, its surprising why such a state occasion was turned into a Peoples Party event. Its one of the things that have to change with the new government.