By Salome Gangire

Neno, March 17, Mana: For years, residents of Mlauli, Leketa, Chitimba and Benelita Villages in the area of Traditional Authority Dambe in Neno District faced daily struggles crossing the Namapanga River. Their only link to essential services such as hospitals, schools and markets was a fragile wooden bridge—barely wide enough for pedestrians, let alone motorcycles or vehicles.

55-years old Idesi Saidi, from Chikalema Village, vividly recalls a terrifying experience in September 2024 when she nearly fell into the river while crossing the old bridge.

“I didn’t see the motorcycle coming until it was too late. The bridge was too narrow for both of us, and I was nearly knocked into the river. Though I sustained injuries, I was lucky to survive,” she says.

She adds that accidents were common, especially during the rainy season when the bridge became even more dangerous.

Relief has come following the construction of a new concrete bridge, funded through the District Development Fund (DDF) and the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) at a cost of K53.2 million.

Before the new bridge, business people and farmers struggled to transport their goods to market, as vehicles could not pass, forcing traders to take longer and more expensive routes.

“Now, with a wider and stronger bridge, vehicles can cross easily, making it more convenient for farmers to sell their produce and access essential services. The improved road network has also made healthcare more accessible,” Saidi says.

For many residents, particularly parents, the greatest relief has been the safety of their children.

Lekeleni Ndaule from Namandwa Village recalls how parents used to worry every time their children crossed the old bridge, especially during the rainy season when it became slippery and unstable.

“With the new bridge, they can cross without fear. Many children from Chitimbe, Binje, and Kachere Primary Schools rely on this bridge to get to school, and their journey is now much safer,” she says.

She adds that in the past, patients often arrived late at hospitals because they had to take a long detour. Today, they can reach health facilities much faster, potentially saving lives.

Matthew Shonga, 28, from Chikalema Village, is among those who have welcomed the development.

“Motorcycle accidents were frequent on the old bridge due to its narrowness, but with the wider structure, such incidents have significantly reduced,” he says.

He believes the bridge has not only improved safety but has also enhanced access to social and economic opportunities.

Councilor for Chilimbondo Ward, Councilor Montfort Bwanali says the bridge now links communities under Sub-Traditional Authority Chikalema and Group Village Head Soka, making travel between villages much easier.

“People from Soka Village cross the bridge to get to the Boma or the hospital at Mission, and those from Chikalema also use it to reach Mwanza. Previously, when the government distributed relief maize or other aid, people from Soka had to struggle to reach the distribution center at Mission. Now, this challenge has been eased,” Bwanali, says.

Senior Chief Dambe acknowledges the bridge’s life-saving role, saying many people had previously been swept away while attempting to cross the river.

“The new bridge has prevented numerous tragedies. In the past, lives were lost as people tried to wade through the river during the rainy season. Now, mobility has greatly improved, linking different communities and enabling safer travel,” he said.

According to Neno District Council Director of Public Works, Pemphero Chikuse, the Namapanga Bridge was funded through DDF (K46.5 million) and CDF (K6.6 million), totaling K53.2 million.

“In the 2024/25 fiscal year, the council has constructed three bridges—Mkulumadzi and Kaphudza, funded through CDF, and Namapanga Bridge, funded through DDF,” Chikuse elaborates.

The investment has already made a significant impact, improving transport, trade, education, and healthcare access for thousands of people in the area.

For the communities that rely on it, the new bridge is more than just an infrastructure project-it is a lifeline, a symbol of safety and a step toward progress.