The
Roads Authority has expressed concern over the increasing number of people
conducting farming activities within road reserve areas, warning that the
practice is illegal and poses a threat to the integrity and safety of road
infrastructure.
Speaking
to Umunthu FM, the Authority's Public Relations Officer Lawrent Kumchenga said
road reserves are legally protected areas designated for future road expansion,
maintenance operations, drainage systems, road safety improvements, and the
installation of utility services.
"People
who are cultivating within road reserve areas are not only violating the law
but are also compromising the integrity and safety of our road infrastructure,"
said the spokesperson.
Kumchenga’s
remark come amid reports of individuals cultivating crops within road reserve
areas along the Salima –Nkhotakota M5 road and some parts the country, a
practice that contravenes the Public Roads Act.
He
adds that to address the problem, the Roads Authority says it is issuing stop
orders under Section 44 of the Public Roads Act to individuals found
encroaching on road reserves.
"These
notices require offenders to immediately stop the activities and restore the
affected areas where necessary," Kumchenga explains.
The
Authority has also reminded the public that cultivating within road reserves or
engaging in any other form of encroachment constitutes an offence under Section
66 of the Public Roads Act.
"We
wish to remind the public that cultivating within road reserves without written
consent from the Roads Authority is prohibited and may attract substantial
penalties, including a fine of up to MK20 million and imprisonment for up to
five years," he explained.
Meanwhile,
Kumchenga says it is conducting nationwide sensitization campaigns to educate
communities on the importance of preserving road reserves and complying with
the law whilst indicating that these campaigns are aimed at raising awareness
that cultivating or constructing within road reserves without written consent
from the Roads Authority is prohibited.
He
says protecting road infrastructure requires collective action and is therefore
working closely with district councils, local authorities and other
stakeholders to promote compliance with road reserve regulations.
"Our
approach includes community awareness meetings, stakeholder engagement sessions
and joint inspections to identify and address encroachment issues before they
escalate. Protecting road infrastructure is a shared responsibility," said
the spokesperson.
