President Lazarus Chakwera Tuesday claimed that he has implemented over 600 construction projects in the country since taking over the reins of power on June 27, 2020.

Chakwera was speaking in Lilongwe during the inaugural National Construction Day, held under the theme ‘Quality Driven Construction Industry: Building for Generations’.

The Malawi leader, who will be vying for a second term in the September 16 General Elections, lashed out at critics who, he said, are claiming that he has done nothing to develop the country.

“When we add together all the projects that we have completed since I became president, as well as those still under construction, it totals over 600.

“Very soon, we will release a list of the projects and their pictures so that Malawians, wherever you are, can see for yourselves. We will do this because, during elections, there are many lies, and some of them have already started,” Chakwera said.

He added that through the list, Malawians would be able to compare the work he has done with that of those who, he said, were champions of laying foundation stones but delivered nothing.

The President also lashed out at critics who, he said, are claiming that the projects he is implementing were started by them and that his government has done nothing.

Last week, former president Peter Mutharika held a press briefing in which it was claimed that many projects Chakwera is implementing were started during his reign.

“We must not entertain this type of rhetoric, as it is aimed at belittling others. Developing a country is not the job of one administration; every administration plays its part,” Chakwera said.

Minister of Transport and Public Works Jacob Hara claimed that, unlike past regimes, the Chakwera administration is insisting on quality infrastructure.

Hara also cautioned against focusing solely on the cost of construction, saying that durable infrastructure comes at a premium and that the current administration aims to deliver top-quality work.

“We don’t want to build today and return tomorrow to the same place just because we opted for something cheap,” he said.

During the celebrations, the National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) named Chakwera as the Champion of Quality Infrastructure in Malawi.

NCIC Board Chairperson, Quantity Surveyor Jeremiah Magaba, said that Chakwera has championed quality infrastructure and professionalism in the industry.