Repair Chakazi, Mnjili bridges—M’mbelwa
Paramount Chief M’mbelwa V has asked government to renovate Mnjili and Chikazi bridges in Mzimba which he described as ‘life-threatening.’
The Ngoni paramount chief was speaking when Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kondwani Nankhumwa launched the construction of the K2.5 office building.
He said: “Chikazi Bridge got washed away five years ago, but no permanent bridge has been constructed and people are finding it hard to move. Mnjili, one of the oldest bridges in Mzimba, is now down, all pillars are down and the bridge is just a step away from collapsing. As people of Mzimba, we can be helped if you renovate the two risky bridges.”
M’mbelwa said he no one seems to appreciate the risks travellers face.
“Maybe now the bridges can be fixed because M’mbelwa has spoken,” he said in an interview.
Last year, an ambulance plunged into the river at Chikazi on the boundary between Mzimba Solola and Mzimba Hora constituencies.
Mnjili Bridge near Mzimba Boma lies on a short route to Embangweni, Edingeni, Euthini, Manyamula, Bulala and Madede.
“I have taken note of the issue. I will talk with the district commissioner [Thomas Chirwa] to figure out the cost of renovating the two bridges and where we can start,” said Nankhumwa. n
