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Victor Maphosa recently in Nyamapanda, Mudzi
The reconstruction of Rwenya Bridge in Mudzi, Mashonaland East, swept away by floods in 2012 is progressing well, with the bridge expected to be opened to pedestrians in December this year while vehicles will be allowed to use it in March next year.
Bitumen World is the contractor tasked to reconstruct this bridge and the organisation is also rehabilitating the gravel road which links Nyamapanda in Mashonaland East Province and part of Nyanga district in Manicaland Province.
Bitumen World will also surface the road as it approaches the bridge, from both sides and will do minor repairs on the other part which was left intact when part of it was washed away to ensure safety for every vehicle and pedestrians once it is opened for use.
Already, the contractor has brought to the site, all the material needed to complete the needed bridge works.
Completion and commissioning of Rwenya bridge will bring back economic activities between Mashonaland East and Manicaland Provinces, and people from both provinces will access social services easily.
Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona who toured the site on Monday to have an appreciation of reconstruction progress said the repairing of this important bridge is a testimony that President Mnangagwa walks the talk and fulfils his promises.
He was accompanied by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East Dr Aplonia Munzverengi and other senior Government officials.
“If we say we have a listening President, we will be talking about him fulfilling his promises and improving the livelihoods of everyone. When he first sent me to assess the condition of this bridge, I went back and he promised to repair it as soon as possible. We came back again and promised people that Government under President Mnangagwa will start construction works before the rainy season and here we are today witnessing notable progress on the construction works at this bridge.
“A few months to come, this bridge will be complete and opened to people and vehicles. We are not only doing great works at this bridge but across the whole province. We are working on Wedza-Mushandirapamwe road, Murewa-Madicheche road as well as Melfort-Marondera road along Mutare highway. President Mnangagwa is leaving no one and no place behind.
“I am thankful that we are working and building our nation, as our President is always saying that Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo,’. Let us support our President and Government programmes,” Minister Mhona said.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East Dr Aplonia Munzverengi thanked the New Dispensation under President Mnangagwa for repairing Rwenya bridge saying the bridge is pivotal for socio-economic activities of Manicaland and Mashonaland East Provinces.
“I want to thank the New Dispensation that after its inception, it has done a lot of developments in our province which include the repairing of Rwenya bridge. This development is evidence that President Mnangagwa means it when he say no place and no one will be left behind.
“This is good for us as Mashonaland East and Manicaland economically. This is commendable. Not only this bridge, but President has promised to construct a dam nearby for irrigation projects, as you know Nyamapanda is a dry area. So the New Dispensation is doing a lot for the people and we are thankful as a province.
ZANU PF legislator for Nyanga South constituency, Cde Chido Sanyatwe who was also part of the delegation assessing construction progress at the bridge thanked Government for the bridge works adding that this shows that President Mnangagwa is a man of his words.
Mr Shingirai Chiriga from Rwenya, Mudzi said completion of this bridge will have a positive impact on the economic activities between Kotwa and Nyanga districts.
“I am happy that our bridge is under repair. Since 2012 when part of it was washed away nothing has been done. But now Government has remembered us and we are seeing notable progress and we believe that soon we will be able to cross this river using the new bridge.
“This bridge is critical for our economic activities, we buy timber from Manicaland for sale here in Mudzi and surrounding areas. So we are happy about this development and we thank authorities for this,” he said.
Mrs Mirriam Kangutsi from Nyanga district expressed joy over the pace at which the construction works are progressing.
“It is difficult to visit our relatives in Mudzi and Mutoko from where I stay in Nyanga especially when this river is flooded. I want to thank President Mnangagwa for this development. Soon we will be able to visit our relatives, conduct economic activities and access social services from either side of the bridge.
“My wish is for God to keep me alive so that I can walk over this bridge once reconstruction is complete. I am so happy,” she said.
Mr Mudyiwa Mashonganyika, ZANU PF DCC chairman for Mudzi also thanked the New Dispensation for reconstructing part of the bridge which was washed away.
“I am happy with the great work which is being done at this bridge. People are struggling to cross this river during rainy season when it would be flooded. This bridge is very important for us and we are thankful that it is being repaired.”
Online Reporter