By Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, September 14, Mana: Newly constructed Nathenje concrete Deck Bridge in Traditional Authority (TA) Chadza in Lilongwe has brought excitement to many communities in the area saying it will improve mobility in accessing health and other essential social services.

Speaking on Saturday during a media tour, Councilor for Misozi ward Steve Chikupila, said before the construction of the bridge which connects Chaseta and Njati villages, people used to face challenges, especially during the rainy season when crossing the river to access markets, schools and hospitals services.

"It was a difficult situation 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 rainy seasons was dangerous as we did not have a good bridge.

"Over the years, we have had some accidents and others lost their lives while trying to cross the river using unchartered crossing areas, so it was a big challenge," he said.

A community member from Chadza village Mercy Mapemba hailed government for the construction of the bridge saying this was a relief to communities, especially women who were facing challenges in crossing over to access antenatal services at a health facility.

“Life was hard for expectant women, some even failed to attend antenatal clinics because of mobility. This was also a challenge when the time to give birth comes closer. The bridge has addressed mobility challenges because this is a story of the past,” she said.

And one of the farmers in the area, Mateyu Chibwe also hailed government for the construction of the bridge saying selling farm produce to the main market at Nathenje was a challenge.

He said the bridge has provided a greater opportunity for business community to visit other marketplaces without difficulties as was the case before.

“This is a great opportunity. We are now able to transport our produce to marketplaces without difficulties,” he said.

Lilongwe District Council Director of Public Works, Sydney Chiphaka said the council is geared to implementing different projects to improve the people’s living standards.

"We are building schools, police units, market sheds, medical facilities and bridges among other infrastructures.

"On our part as a council, we are making sure that every project we are delivering to the people should be durable, of high quality and meet stipulated requirements and specifications. And most importantly, the projects must answer the challenges of the people, as we have done with this bridge," he said.

The K63 million Nathenje concrete desk bridge has been constructed through the Governance for Enabled Service Delivery (GESD) which is being implemented through the National Local Government Finance Committee, with funding from the World Bank.