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Lovemore Kadzura in Makoni North
AIR Zimbabwe chief operating officer, Mr Simba Chikore and Zanu-PF national secretary for youth affairs, Cde Kudzi Chipanga, partnered to provide resources used in the construction of Mukuwi Bridge in Makoni District.

The bridge, which connects Headlands and Makoni North constituencies, was swept away by floods four years ago.

Rehabilitation work has commenced following the availing of funds.

Mr Chikore, who hails from Makoni North was approached by residents for assistance on the bridge reconstruction.

Mukuwi Bridge — one of the biggest in Makoni District — was swept away in 2013 and Makoni Rural District Council has been facing financial challenges in rehabilitating the bridge while the community once attempted to go it alone, but found the task beyond their reach.

Speaking at the official ground breaking ceremony of the bridge reconstruction, Senator Shadreck Chipanga, hailed Mr Chikore for availing the $35 000 needed for the completion of the bridge.

He further added that the community of Headlands and Makoni North were grateful for the intervention done by the son of the area.

“Mukuwi Bridge is one of the biggest bridges in Makoni District and was swept away by floods in 2013. The bridge gave in to the debris that had clogged the culvert. The bridge greatly affected Makoni North constituency as people had to travel long winding distances to connect to Rusape or Headlands.”

“At one point, sons and daughters from this area tried to repair this bridge. They carried out gravel patching and drain opening on most parts of the road and could not raise enough funds to construct the bridge.

“It was only after Mr Simba Chikore working closely with youth secretary, Cde Kudzi Chipanga that they combined forces to find resources to repair this bridge. I would like to thank our son, Mr Chikore for the effort he has made for us to realise the development aspirations of our people.”

Sen Chipanga added: “Makoni Rural District Council engineers produced the bill of quantities for the repair of the bridge. The funds from Mr Chikore amount to $35 000. They are enough to complete the construction work.”

He hailed Government for embarking on accelerated road infrastructure rehabilitation programme.

“Government, together with road authorities that include rural district councils, urban councils and District Development Fund have embarked on an accelerated road infrastructure rehabilitation programme following incessant rains that were received this year.

“Our infrastructure is old and needs rehabilitation, hence Government’s emergency rehabilitation programme.

“Both council and DDF are actively participating in the road rehabilitation programme which is expected to be complete by 31 December 2017 and this bridge is expected to be complete by 31 October 2017.

“I am advised that local people will be recruited to work on this project and the labour will be drawn from wards three, eight and nine. The employment should target both men and women, a total of 50 jobs will be created by this project,” said Sen Chipanga.

Ward Eight Councillor David Muzarabani, said failure to reconstruct the bridge before the 2018 general elections could have led the ruling party struggling to win the Makoni North and Headlands seats as the issue was a topical one.

A cross section of villagers interviewed by The Herald said the reconstruction of the bridge had a huge bearing on their movement as they were travelling long distances.

They also complained of high transport costs as transporters were capitalising on their desperation.