ZRCS set to complete $35 000 footbridge

THE Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) is set to complete the $35 000 Namutanda footbridge that straddles over Mawena River in Kariba rural next week.

The footbridge will benefit mostly villagers from Negande, especially during the rainy season.

ZRCS Kariba Rural District field officer Mr Talent Chuma said on Wednesday that the footbridge’s completion was imminent.

“We have recorded major progress so far and we hope the bridge would be ready for use by next week,” he said.

Mr Chuma said the project was likely to create a crossing point for residents from five villages.

“In 2017, a number of DRR (disaster risk reduction) measures were prioritised and carried out by different clusters and in Negande Ward 6, a footbridge was prioritised to create a safe crossing point for residents of five villages,” he said.

“This was necessitated primarily by the need to reduce crocodile attacks on humans, livestock and also cases of drowning and improving access to services from the clinic, school, and shops.

“The bridge also helps farmers to access their fields and for better social interactions within the community during times when relatives need to come together.”

Construction work started during the second week of January last year. Mr Chuma said three Zimbabwe National Army personnel had been providing technical guidance for the project.

ZRCS provincial manager Mr Amon Choba commended the community and other stakeholders for the success of the project.

“Throughout the works, community participation has been outstanding and support from local leadership namely the councillors, village heads and the chief has been consistent,” he said.

Kariba legislator Cde Isaac Mackenzie has of late engaged the Zimbabwe National Road Administration and Nyaminyami Rural District Council to improve the state of roads in his constituency.