RA moves to rehabilitate bridge

 Roads Authority (RA) spokesperson Portia Kajanga says rehabilitation works for a bridge across Nabvunde River on the M5 in Nkhotakota District have started.

The bridge, located about 25 kilometres from Nkhotakota Boma, developed cracks last week after heavy rains.

Kajanga said traffic will not be interrupted during rehabilitation works.

She said: “The cracks were noted a while ago and the contractor was already identified.

“What delayed the process was procurement of materials as we had to follow what Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority says when it comes to procurement.”

Kajanga said if anything will necessitate disrupting traffic, the authority will issue a communiqué to inform the public. She said the works will take two weeks to be completed.

During his visit earlier this month, Vice-President Saulos Chilima assured that rehabilitation works for the M5 will start soon.

He said government is expected to have a contract for the road signed this month.

The M5 connects lake shore districts of Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota and Salima. The road is an alternative route for the M1.