K63m bridge excites people in Lilongwe
People in Traditional Authority Chadza in Lilongwe District have commended the district council for constructing a bridge across Nathenje River.
Speaking on Saturday during a media tour, Misozi Ward councillor Steve Chikupila said the bridge will ease mobility challenges in the area.
He said the bridge connects Chaseta and Njati villages, where people used to face mobility challenges during the rainy season.
Said Chikupila: “It was difficult because you would want to go somewhere and sell your goods, access banks, schools and hospitals, but you could not do so because crossing the river during the rainy season was dangerous.
“Over the years, there have been accidents and others lost their lives while trying to cross the river.”
Mercy Mapemba, a community member from Chadza Village, hailed government for the construction of the bridge, saying this was a relief to communities, especially women who were facing challenges to cross the river to access antenatal services at a health facility at Nathenje.
“Life was hard for expectant women, some even failed to attend antenatal clinics because of mobility. This was also a challenge when time to give birth came,” she said.
One of the farmers, Mateyu Chibwe said the bridge has eased mobility for their produce.
“We are now able to transport our produce to Nathenje Market without difficulties,” he said
Lilongwe District Council director of public works Sydney Chiphaka said the council was geared to implementing different projects to improve people’s living standards.
He said: “We are building schools, police units, market sheds, medical facilities and bridges, among other infrastructures.
“We ensure that the projects we are durable and meet stipulated requirements and specifications.”
The K63 million Nathenje concrete desk bridge has been constructed through the World Bank-funded Governance for Enabled Service Delivery.
