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Sharon Chiware Midlands Reporter
GOVERNMENT has rehabilitated two high level bridges, Jeka-Chegato and Mwenezi, along the Mwenezi River at a cost of $1,5 million, bringing relief to villagers who had been using longer routes to access social amenities.

When Jeka–Chegato Bridge, located along the Danga-Dolo Road over the Mwenezi River in the Midlands province was destroyed by Cyclone Deneo-induced floods in February, villagers were forced to use a longer route passing through Gwanda in Matabeleland South. Pupils were reportedly not attending school while other villagers and patients were failing to access Mnene District Hospital because the district had been cut off from the rest of the country.

Brave pupils and parents were using a makeshift, but dangerous ladder that was balancing on the remains of Mwenezi Bridge to reach schools and the hospital. Midlands Provincial Roads Engineer Stephen Kamutema said they were pleased that Government bridges and roads rehabilitation programme had gone on well.

“The Government has managed to rehabilitate the Jeka–Chegato and Mwenezi bridges and some roads in Mberengwa which were destroyed by floods early this year. As a result of the floods, bridges and roads were destroyed and communities in Mberengwa were cut off from other districts,” he said.

Eng Kamutema said Government had already constructed temporary foot bridges to enable villagers to access other districts for social amenities. He said another achievement by Government in the Midlands was the reclamation of a gully at Gokwe Centre, which was threatening infrastructure. Eng Kamutema said Government poured in $900 000 to reclaim the Gokwe Centre gully. The massive gully had cut through Gokwe-Chireya Road and was threatening the Gokwe magistrate’s court, the Government complex and other buildings.

“We are happy because the reclamation of that infamous gully, which had been threatening infrastructure and lives of the Gokwe residents was completed,” said Eng Kamutema.