By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, August 2, Mana: Vice President, Dr Michael Usi has assured Ndirande residents in Blantyre that construction of Nasolo Bridge, which is in bad shape, will commence in less than two months.

Usi made the assurance on Friday after touring the bridge whose state has been a concern for Ndirande residents for quite some time.

Ndirande Market Chairperson, Chancy Widoni, raised the issue about Nasolo Bridge when Usi toured the market recently.

“I came here for the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) programme but the chairperson of the market told me about the bridge and I came to see the situation. The bridge is very dangerous to cross.

“I tried to find out why the bridge was not constructed and it was disclosed that this is due to some government officials whose conduct scare away donors,” he said.

The Vice President confirmed that he has managed to bring back the donors who will fund construction of the bridge and a contractor will start the work soon.

“Engineers have been instructed to come up with sketches right away. The plan is that the bridge should be fit for that purpose and should finish before the rains start,” Usi said.

Blantyre City Deputy Mayor, Isaac Jomo Osman, commended the Vice President for touring the bridge and for government’s commitment to construct it.

He said the bridge has claimed many lives and business people have lost their property.

Osman, therefore, appealed to government to consider other infrastructural projects in the area like maintenance of Ndirande Market stating that the market accommodates a large number of business people contrary to its present capacity.

“Contractors should give us durable roads. Most roads in Ndirande are in bad condition. When doing other development projects, government should also include Ndirande market,” he said.

Ndirande Market Chairperson, Chancy Widoni, thanked Usi for visiting Nasolo Bridge and expressed optimism that the Vice President will push things to ensure that construction of the bridge starts soon and to finish in good time.

“I should thank the Vice President for showing interest to solve this problem after a short notice,” he said.