Communities in Chididi Area Build Diversion Road to Access Nsanje Boma

Nsanje, Malawi-Communities in Senior Chief Malemia in Nsanje have taken matters into their own hands and constructed a diversion road at the Mwanalundu stream bridge to gain access to the district headquarters, writes Cornelius Lupenga.

The diversion was initiated due to the lack of action by authorities in building a tangible bridge, causing difficulties for locals, especially expectant mothers.

The construction has been made possible with support and contributions from the sons and daughters within and outside the country, according to Group Village Headman Jofirisi.

"Our children have contributed over K172,000 in cash, sixty bags of cement, a goat, and K20,000 in cash for meals at the workplace," he said.

"We wanted to show that we can do our part to have a diversion in the meantime and a bridge later."

The lack of access to the district headquarters has been a long-standing issue for residents of Chididi, who have been excluded from many developmental projects due to their geographical positioning.

The Mwanalundu stream slab was fixed by the missionaries in the 1940s and has been neglected by previous governments.

NRA publicist, Portia Kajanga, was unable to confirm or deny the reported development at the site, stating only that there was an Irish bridge in place with water flowing.

However, Kajanga alleged that locals in the area had destroyed the bridge, citing a desire to construct their own using council funds or CDF.

Kajanga further disclosed that the council was unhappy with the actions taken by the locals, as the available funds were insufficient to complete the necessary work.

Shadreck Goba, a resident of the area, dismissed allegations by the National Roads Authority (NRA) Public Relations Officer, Portia Kajanga, that people from the area had vandalized a bridge at Mwanalundu stream.

"What action was executed by the National Roads Authority (NRA) or Nsanje District Council on the vandalism on the site?" he asked.

Nsanje South West lawmaker Euritta Ntiza Valeta acknowledged deploying a contractor to the Mwanalundu stream.

She stated that the Nsanje Boma to Chididi area was under the National Roads Authority's (NRA) jurisdiction and could not be maintained with council resources.

Valeta confirmed that the contractor had subsequently withdrawn from the location.

The Nsanje District Council has yet to comment on the matter.