Chiefs under Traditional Authority Nthalire in Chitipa District have accused government of negligence in the construction of the K167 million Kamilang’ombe Bridge that collapsed on Saturday.
The bridge failed to contain the weight of a Toyota Land Cruiser ferrying People’s Party supporters to a campaign rally at Kamphyongo Primary School.
Chitipa District Council director of public works Misheck Gondwe, said the bridge was constructed in June by Wotazs Group Construction under government’s Rural Roads and Water Infrastructure Project.
He said the council had already condemned the structure and instructed the contractor to rebuild it.
“The bridge was declared unsafe. We wrote the contractor to start afresh,” Gondwe said.
However, group village head Kamphyongo, in whose area the bridge is located, faulted the council for failing to monitor the works.
“The team worked at night, which raised suspicion. We reported this and within weeks, cracks appeared even before the bridge was launched,” he said.
Senior Chief Nthalire also condemned the bridge, saying it reflected lack of seriousness from government and contractors.
“This shows poor oversight and lack of accountability,” he said. Wotazs Group managing director Bobbex Banda blamed the poor workmanship on poor supervision and substandard workmanship.
“The man in charge misused resources and did shoddy work,” he said. One of the passengers in the trapped car said no one was injured.
The bridge connects Kalinkhonde market, Kamphyongo Primary School and Kamphyongo clinic.
