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Chaponda backed over bridge project

Mulanje South West councillors have backed Leader of Opposition in Parliament George Chaponda who was accused of failing to rehabilitate a bridge on Chikuli River destroyed by Cyclone Freddy.

Their reaction followed a video clip which went viral accusing the legislator of failing to use Constituency Development (CDF) and his political clout to lobby for the rehabilitation of bridge they estimated would cost K3 million.

Leader of Opposition in Parliament George Chaponda

In an interview yesterday, Chikuli Ward councillor Beatrice Mlatho backed Chaponda, saying CDF funds would not be enough to cater for the rehabilitation of the bridge damaged by Cyclone Freddy. 

She said: “It’s not true that such a bridge can be fixed with K3 million from CDF as indicated in the viral video. Initially, Dr. Chaponda used CDF to fix it, but now it needs more resources.”

Mlatho said the process to build a new bridge is underway as it was budgeted for by the council.

Former Mulanje District Council chairperson Thokozani Namoyo said they have pegged the bridge project budget at about K120 million this year.

“The matter was tabled at a full council meeting after the Area Development Committee raised the issue. However, we could not accommodate it because it needs more funds.

“However, it is in the 2024/25 budget. And we have ensured that all the nine constituencies should have a project, including Chikuli Bridge in Mulanje South West,” he said.

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