By Thoko Banda

Zomba, January 16, Mana: Taxis drivers operating on Mpondabwino to Sadzi, Mpunga roads in Zomba City have expressed concerns over temporary closure of Mpondabwino bridge at Likangala River saying it has negatively affected their business,

Last week, the Zomba City Council issued a notice of closure of the road to Sadzi and Mpunga through Mpondabwino due to a crack on the Llikangala Bridge.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday, one of the taxi drivers, Abdulaziz Katema said most of the drivers fail to operate, as most of their passengers prefer hiring motorcycles that pass through the remaining part of the bridge though at owner’s risk.

“With the closure of the road, passengers cannot accept to use the longer route. They rather choose to travel by motorcycle on the closed road passing on the cracked bridge,

“Our life is no longer the same, we wish the council fast-tracked the rehabilitation works at the bridge,” Katema said.

Another taxi operator, Willard Pensulo said he is able to make MK10, 000 per day in the current situations as compared to Mk30, 000 he used to make before the road was closed.

“Since the closure of the road, there has been nothing from the council and this is worrying as we don’t know how long it will take to have the bridge fixed,” Pensulo said.

Meanwhile, the city council authorities have assured road users that they are looking into the issue such that an assessment of the bridge shall determine when to start fixing the problem,

Zomba City Council, Public Relations Officer, Sylivia Thawani said preparations were underway for the maintenance works, adding that the council was waiting for a report from the assessment.

“The council is pretty well aware of the challenges but people should not lose hope, as all will be fine shortly” she said.