Bridge eases mobility challenges in Lilongwe

People in Traditional Authority Chiwaula in Lilongwe have expressed excitement with the construction of a K120 million Nambuma Bridge in the area.

The bridge, whose construction works started in 2022 under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery Project, will connect communities from Lilongwe North West and Dowa.

In an interview on Saturday, group village head Kapangarika said 39 villages under his jurisdiction were struggling to cross Nambuma River, especially during the rainy season.

He said: “People in my area are farmers, but struggle to transport their produce to markets due to lack of bridge across Nambuma River.

“However, we are worried with the project’s slow progress.”

A community member, Lloyd Josephat from Chaomba Village, said the bridge will improve mobility to markets such as Nambuma and Mponela in Dowa.

“People from Chaomba and other villages in Lilongwe North West grow crops such as soya, beans, groundnuts and maize but fail to access better markets due to mobility challenges,” he said.

T/A Chiwaula said previously people lost their lives while attempting to cross the river.

“We thank government for the initiative as it will boost the area’s socio-economic activities,” she said.

Lilongwe North West legislator Mphatso Boti said the bridge will open a corridor between Lilongwe North West and Dowa.

He said: “The bridge will ease mobility challenges, thereby promoting trade for people of Lilongwe and Dowa as the road connects the M1 in Dowa and the Lilongwe-Kasiya-Santhe-Kasungu Road.”

Lilongwe District Council director of public works Sydney Chiphaka said the project was expected to be completed in December 2023 but faced delays due to funding.

He assured the community that the project is expected to be completed in June this year.