Karonga Songwe legislator Mungasulwa Mwambande (Malawi Congress Party) has asked government to construct four bridges in his constituency to ease mobility of farmers and patients.
The bridges are to be constructed across Kakolya, Kilambalele, Mwakisulu and Mwakamogho rivers on the Ighembe-Kitwika Road which connects people from the other side of Songwe River in the district.
Due to lack of bridges across the rivers, people struggle to go to Kaporo Rural Hospital or Karonga Boma to access essential services.
I Jordan Simeon-Phiri
In an interview, Mwambande, who raised the issue early this month during the distribution of relief food in his area, said a good road network was crucial for the area’s socioeconomic development.
“This road connects farmers with buyers of farm produce such as rice and plantains. It will also ease mobility and transportation costs of patients
to Kaporo Rural Hospital who endure a 20-kilometre distance,” he said.
In a separate interview, Roads Authority spokesperson Alice Chinthochi said the Ighembe-Kitwika Road is classified as a district road (D18) following the reclassification of roads; hence, outside the authority’s jurisdiction.
She said: “However, in 2021/22 financial year, the authority upgraded the Mtakisha Bridge from timber deck to reinforced concreted decked bridge, approximately 34 metres long.
“Considering that this is a district road, there are reports that Karonga District Council has taken over maintenance of the road and that some contractors have been awarded to upgrade some of the bridges along the road.”
However, Karonga District Council acting director of public works George Chanya said his office with the legislator carried an assessment of the four bridges two weeks ago.
“Now we are drawing the bridges’ designs. Funds permitting, perhaps next financial year from the Constituency Development Fund, we will start the works,” he said.
