Give credit where it’s due. While opposition figures scramble to tarnish the government’s achievements, a monumental event unfolded in Nsanje—one that underscores why President Lazarus Chakwera deserves to continue leading Malawi. Yesterday, a historic moment arrived when a train from Beira, Mozambique, rolled into Marka, Nsanje, carrying 1.2 million litres of diesel, marking the revival of the Sena Corridor Railway Line after 41 years of dormancy.
The re-operationalisation of this vital route connecting Malawi to the Indian Ocean has proven to be a game-changer. Imagine, for the first time in over four decades, a fuel-laden train chugged into Marka, a sight few thought possible.
The line had been out of service due to damages on both the Malawi and Mozambique sections, but rehabilitation efforts finally bore fruit. National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) CEO Clement Kanyama called this a transformative step for the nation, noting that the rail transport of petroleum products will drastically reduce costs and time. “This small train, with 24 wagons, carried 1.2 million litres of fuel. Each wagon holds 50,000 litres, equivalent to two road tankers. Soon, we’ll be receiving over 10 million litres of fuel by rail,” Kanyama explained.
Since the Sena Corridor was closed in 1983, road transport has been the sole, costly mode of fuel delivery. But with Mozambique having completed its repairs and Malawi progressing on the 72-kilometre Marka-Bangula section, the nation is on the brink of a transport revolution. Minister of Transport Jacob Hara confirmed that efforts are underway to fast-track construction and establish a transhipment station at Nsanje Boma.
Despite these tremendous strides, opposition propagandists sought to twist the narrative, falsely claiming the train was empty or filled with molasses. Their lies were swiftly debunked when videos surfaced of diesel being offloaded into Malawian tankers bound for NOCMA’s Blantyre reserves.
In just one move, President Chakwera has revived Malawi’s economic lifeline, proving once again that his leadership is delivering results.
