Rumphi Central MP, Matthews Mtumbuka, has appealed to government to urgently rehabilitate the Valabao Bridge, saying its collapse in March this year has cut off thousands of people from essential services.
Speaking in Parliament on Friday, Mtumbuka asked Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jappie Mhango, to intervene, noting the project is too costly for Constituency Development Fund [CDF] allocations.
“We have tried to rehabilitate it through the local council, but the cost is beyond our capacity. I ask you, Honourable Minister, to come to our rescue,” Mtumbuka said.
He said the bridge is a vital link for communities traveling to Rumphi Boma to access health services, markets, schools, and other government services.
In response, Minister Mhango said his ministry recognizes the importance of the bridge and has sent engineers to assess the damage. He said rebuilding it is estimated at K1.8 billion.
Mhango assured Parliament that government will take over the project and construct the bridge as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Bwengu–Chipokawoli Road.