Bridge project impresses community
Community leaders in Senior Chief Kilupula in Karonga District have commended Karonga Smallholder Farmers Association for constructing a bridge across Chimalawanthu River in the area.
Speaking on Tuesday during the handover of the K5 million bridge, acting village head Chimalawanthu said the facility will ease mobility in the area.
He said previously, rice farmers found it difficult to transport their commodity to markets.
“Children also struggled to cross the river to Kibwe Primary School, especially during the rainy season,” he said.
Kaporo Ward councillor Ngasalayumo Mwangonde (UTM Party) in Karonga North Constituency described the organisation as a true partner in development.
“Easy mobility will boost rice production as farmers will stop selling their rice to middle-men, but take it to markets themselves,” he said.
Mwangonde also said ambulances will now be able to ferry patients to either Kaporo Rural Hospital or Karonga District Hospital.
Karonga Smallholder Farmers Association board chairperson Twebo Ng’ona said they constructed the bridge to boost rice production and trade in the area.
“After noting that farmers were selling their rice to middle-men, we decided to source money from the African Development Fund to construct the bridge,” he said.
Ng’ona asked people to take care of the river banks if the bridge is to last.
