Blantyre City to spend K150m on damaged bridges

Blantyre City Council (BCC) says the two damaged bridges in Naperi and Chilobwe townships will  cost K150 million.

BCC mayor Wild Ndipo said this yesterday when he inspected the bridges damaged by rains last week.   He also stated that contractors for the projects have been identified.

He said the contractors, Tahiti Construction Networks and Dika Construction Company, have been given a 30-day deadline to complete the works.

“As BCC, we consulted government and the Roads Fund Administration [RFA] and we were given a nod to identify contractors and that they should be on site as soon as possible and let me assure everyone that the works will be done and completed on time,” said Ndipo.

In a separate interview, Blantyre City South legislator Noel Lipipa said the council’s interventions will ease challenges motorists experience.

 “Most of these bridges were built long ago when the rivers were small but now they have grown bigger,” he said.

Group village head Chilobwe said rehabilitation of the bridges will ease mobility in the township.

“Residents are struggling to cross the river without bridges,” he said.

James Kambanje, a resident, commended BCC for embarking on the project.

Heavy rains damaged a bridge on Mlambalala River across Kapeni Drive in Naperi Township and another one near Somanje in Chilobwe .