Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
THE Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) has completed construction of Muhume Bridge in Murehwa District, ending years of difficulties residents faced in accessing essential services.
The bridge links Murehwa and Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe (UMP) districts through Ward 1 of Murehwa and Ward 15 of UMP, improving connectivity between the two communities.
Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, who commissioned the bridge on Thursday, reiterated the Government’s commitment to enhance infrastructure development across the country.
“This bridge represents the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration of the people in these communities,” he said.
“It is also a tangible demonstration of the Second Republic’s commitment, under the leadership of President ED Mnangagwa, to ensuring that infrastructure development and its associated benefits reach every corner of Zimbabwe, leaving no community behind.
“The Muhume Bridge is the result of years of careful planning, commitment, and determination.
“The idea was first conceived in 1998, while construction commenced in 2018 under the Second Republic.”.
He added that the absence of Muhume Bridge has been a challenge to the people in both Murehwa and UMP districts, particularly when the Muhume River is flooded.
“For many years, the Muhume River presented serious challenges to communities on both sides,” he said.
“During the rainy season, crossing the river became difficult and, at times, impossible. Families were cut off from essential services. Children faced difficulties accessing schools. Patients struggled to reach health facilities, and farmers encountered challenges transporting their produce to markets.
“These difficulties affected livelihoods and limited economic and social interaction between the two districts.
“Today, those challenges are being addressed through the provision of reliable and safe connectivity. The bridge will ensure that communities can move freely and access essential services throughout the year.”
Residents of Bvekerwa and Marembera Villages commended authorities for the infrastructure.
“We were completely cut off from essential services because of the absence of this bridge,” said Mrs Sofia Maenzaenza.
“Our children were the most affected because they could not go to school as long as this river was flooded.
“We thought this day would not come, when a bridge would be built here for us. What makes us happy is that the Government has built this important bridge for the people.”
Mr Godfrey Bviriri concurred with other residents on the challenges they faced before.
“It has been hard for the people of both villages. We have relatives on the other side of this river, but we could not visit each other occasionally,” he said.
This is not a small river, and no one could cross it during rainy seasons. When construction of this bridge started, we were excited.
“Yes, it took time to be completed, but here we are today; we have a finished product. We applaud the Second Republic for this development. Indeed, no one is being left behind.”
Last month, RIDA commissioned another bridge in Mahusekwa, as the Agency continue to prioritise development in rural areas.
