Zambia: Samfya District Commissioner Kayula Mulenga has commended Mumwi General Dealers, a local contractor contracted to reconstruct an embarkment at Kabwatila Bridge in Mano Ward in Bangweulu Constituency.
Mulenga says the works done by the contractor so far are impressive and is hopeful that once the bridge is complete, the people of Kabwatila will be crossing without facing any challenges.
Media reports that the District Commissioner said this today when he monitored the progress of works at the bridge.
Mulenga said the Kabwatila area has been experiencing challenges with road connectivity. He said that with the current works on the bridge, the area will be easily accessible.
“This area has been experiencing challenges with road connectivity for a long time, but since the bridge is being constructed, the area will now be easily accessible,” he said.
He disclosed that the Kabwatila Bridge is being constructed using the 2022 Constituency Development Fund under the Disaster Component of the Constituency Development Fund.
Since then, Mulenga has called on the District Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit Committee to identify areas prone to disasters and mitigate some of them.
“It is important for the DMMU committee to know and identify areas that are prone to disasters so that we know how we can mitigate some of them instead of waiting for a disaster to happen,” he added.
Samfya District Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) Coordinator Obino Chikota praised the contractor’s progress despite some weather-related challenges.
Chikota said with the necessary adjustments and continued community involvement, the project will be completed within the stipulated time frame.
“When few adjustments are made on the construction of a bridge by the constructor as well as community engagement, the bridge will be completed within the stipulated time frame,” he said.
He explained that the Kabwatila bridge is important to the people of Mano Ward, especially farmers. Working on it will address issues of flooding during the rainy season, which affects residents.
Chikota said that once completed, the bridge will serve as a vital infrastructure improvement, as it will prevent the community from being isolated during adverse weather conditions.
He has since implored local residents to support local development to foster a sense of ownership in the community.