Minister commissions Manolo Bridge in Mzimba

Minister of Transport and Public Works Jappie Mhango has opened Manolo Bridge on South Rukuru River in Mzimba.

The K200 million bridge, constructed under the Roads Authority (RA) Rural Bridges Programme, connects rural areas in Mzimba West to markets, schools, health facilities and other social facilities.

Speaking during the launch last week, Mhango said the 50-metre bridge is a big relief to farmers as it has opened up agricultural areas in Mzimba to urban markets.

He said farmers were experiencing challenges transporting their produce to markets and transporting farm inputs from urban areas to their farms.

Mhango said the bridge will also ease challenges learners were facing in accessing schools but also improve access to health services among other things.

“It was risky for people to cross the river especially during the rainy season,” he said.

RA chief executive officer Engineer Emmanuel Matapa said the contractor adhered to quality, time and budget.

Inkosana  Munyanjagha hailed government for the bridge but said there was need to put barriers on both sides of the bridge to protect children and others from falling into the river, especially when a vehicle is passing. n