People in group village head Majiputa, Traditional Authority Mpunga in Chiradzulu District have said the construction of an K84.7 million bridge in the area will ease mobility challenges.
In an interview on Monday, community member Marrian Kapire from Malombe Village said it was risky and difficult to cross Makumbira River during the rainy season.
She said: “Makumbira Bridge has made the road passable. People were struggling to cross the river to travel to Namitambo Health Centre.
“When using a motorcycle, we would disembark, wade in the water and meet the motorcyclist across the river.”
Kapire said the situation was worse when transporting the remains of their loved ones
from the health facility.
“There was no dignity for the dead at all. But now with the bridge, vehicles can transport dead bodies to the village easily,” she said.
Another community member Cedric Chewelani, a Kabanza operator from Nyalugwe Village, said it was also difficult to transport farm produce to the market.
“We had to charge more to transport the produce to markets, which affected poor families,” he said.
Phyless Mazinga, councillor of Mitumbira Ward in Chiradzulu South Constituency, said the bridge is expected to enhance not only day-to-day mobility but also the area’s overall economic well-being.
She said: “This bridge is important as it connects people
to places they access essential social services such as schools and hospitals.
“That is why when the communities asked for it, we did not hesitate to lobby for its construction.”
Chiradzulu District Council constructed the bridge with funds from the World Bank under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery Project
