By George Bulombola
Mzuzu, April 2, Mana: Mzuzu City Council (MCC) has handed over two bridge construction sites to contractors who emerged successful bidders for the construction of the duo road infrastructures in a bid to address some of the challenges which commuters face within and outside Mzuzu City.
MCC intends to construct Target Bridge which will connect Mchengautuba East Ward and Mchengautuba West Ward besides Lupasso Bridge at a cost of over K54 million.
The two bridges will ease mobility of people of Lubinga and Nkholongo wards in the city.
Speaking during the handover ceremony of the sites on Tuesday, MCC Director of Planning and Development, Philemon Maseko, said the projects are a few amongst several bridge construction projects in the city.
“MCC is mostly characterized by streams which cut across most road infrastructure hence the intervention which is being supported by government through Infrastructure Development Fund,” said Maseko.
He said the projects once completed are expected to contribute towards the country’s attainment of Malawi 2063 through Urbanization Pillar with Economic Infrastructure as its enabler which advocates for urbanization across the country.
Councillor for Mchengautuba East Ward, Mandinda Ng’oma, commended MCC for prioritizing bridge construction projects across the city, saying the initiative will go a long way in reducing communication and transportation challenges in the city.
“This is a good development which need not politicized as resources for these projects have been provided by government, hence we all need to own them for their successful completion.
“Apart from creating this infrastructural asset for public use, the project has also created employment opportunities for local people including women,” said Ng’oma.
Councillor for Lubinga Ward, Gift Desire Nyirenda, advised people who would be employed to provide unskilled labour at the construction sites against theft of construction materials.
Target Bridge Construction Project and Lupaso Bridge Project have been awarded to Uhuru Civil Engineering and Tam Civil Works respectively.
Both projects are expected to be complete within two months.
