Govt commissions Namutanda footbridge Vice President General Constantino Chiwenga (Retired)

Walter Nyamukondiwa recently in SIAKOBVU
GOVERNMENT has commissioned the 50-metre long Namutanda footbridge in the Negande area of Siakobvu, an automated weather station and wind meter to ensure safety in Lake Kariba. The bridge was built at a cost of $70 000 with the assistance of the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, Zimbabwe National Army engineers and Red Cross (Denmark).

The footbridge will minimise disruption of classes for children during the rainy season and link communities in Gokwe and Nyaminyami districts.

In a speech read on his behalf by Defence and War Veterans Affairs secretary Mr Martin Rushwaya, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga described the construction of the bridge as a fruit of unity.

“This is exemplary humanitarian synergy that testifies to the good work that we can achieve as a united nation,” he said.
VP Chiwenga is also the Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs and indeed the Government of Zimbabwe, I have a deep sense of pride in handing over and commissioning the footbridge, which provides safe passage for the community members and contributes to protection of lives and livelihoods.”

Several people die each year from crocodile attacks while others drown attempting to cross Mawena River and the footbridge has come as a relief to the Negande community. VP Chiwenga hailed the involvement of the community through providing labour and some of the materials used in the construction of the bridge.

He said the involvement of ZNA which provided architectural designs of the footbridge, preparation of bill of quantities and mobilisation of the community shows the social responsibility side of the army.
VP Chiwenga said communities should work together to see the realisation of development.

Chief Negande hailed government and cooperating partners like ZNA and Red Cross Society for the bridge which provides safe passage for people in the area.

“We are indeed grateful as a community because we were losing people each year to crocodile attacks while others drowned while trying to cross Maweni River,” he said.

An automated weather station was also commissioned which will see collaboration between the Meteorological Services Department and Lake Navigation to provide weather forecasts.

This is expected to assist fishermen in the lake who are often caught out by bad weather leading to their makeshift boats capsizing resulting in loss of life.

Zimbabwe Red Cross disaster management coordinator Mr Desmond Mudombi said the station which was set up to the tune of $45 000 will help in providing relevant information to people using the lake.

“The reason for helping in setting up the station was that fishermen are using unsuitable boats which puts them at risk. The collaboration between Lake Navigation and the Metrological Services Department helps to provide relevant information for their safety,” he said.

SMS containing weather forecasts are sent out to fishermen and other users in the lake while VHF radios will be used in the event that SMS service fails.

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