K19m bridge to ease mobility challenges

Group village head Captain Jere of Traditional Authority Mzikubola in Mzimba District has commended the construction of K19 million Chipata Bridge, saying it will ease mobility challenges in the area.

Speaking on Monday when Mzimba South legislator Emmanuel Jere (Malawi Congress Party) commissioned the bridge, he said communities were previously failing to access markets for their agricultural produce at Jenda Trading Centre while learners were struggling to access Chipata Primary School in the rainy season.

“Travelling to nearby villages will also be easy because of the bridge,” said Jere.

However, the chief asked duty-bearers in the area to consider constructing a clinic to serve women and children, saying people are tired of travelling to Jenda for healthcare services.

In his remarks, Jere said the bridge was constructed using Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

He said he was compelled to facilitate the construction of the bridge after noting that people were facing transport challenges in the rainy season.

He said: “This bridge is important because it connects people of Chipata, Mkochi and Ehehleni to Jenda Trading Centre, which is their big market.

“It was difficult for these people to travel to Jenda to sell produce such as tomato, onions and Irish potato.”

Jere said he now wants to complete a girls’ hostel at Mabiri Community Day Secondary School using the same CDF.

M’Mbelwa District Council director of administration Steve Chima commended Jere for using the CDF efficiently.

He said: “CDF money belongs to the people.

“As a council, we always challenge members of Parliament in the district to use CDF efficiently by coming up with tangible projects that someone can show.”