Parliament has referred to a its Committee on Transport and Public Infrastructure a petition by Mwanza-Neno-Tsangano Road Advocacy Group asking for the construction of a 140km road in the three districts.

Presenting the petition in the august House, Neno North parliamentarian Thoko Tembo said it is now 57 years since Malawi attained her independence and the district is yet to have a tarmac road.

Tembo said previous governments have been pledging to construct the road but nothing has happened on the ground ever since.

He further lamented the people of Neno want the 140km road to be completed at once not in phases as it is happening now.

The petition has since been referred to Transport and Public Infrastructure of the House for consideration.

The House has also referred to a relevant committee a petition by Machinga-Chingale-Lirangwe Road Task Force which was presented by Mzimba North Yeremiah Chihana and is asking for construction of a 62km road.

Responding to the two petitions, Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works Nancy Chaola Mdooko said the Tonse-led administration has 15 flagship projects including the two roads mentioned in the separate petitions.

In addition, a petition by students from the Malawi College of Health Sciences has also been referred to a relevant committee which was present by Thyolo North Ephraim Nayeja.

The students are asking the House to amend the 2015 Parliamentary Act number 2 which excludes the students from accessing loans from the Higher Education Students` Loans and Grants Board on the basis that the College does not offer degrees.