BY: DRAXON MALOYA

Despite being neglected in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) distribution master plan communities from six villages around Maula Health Center under Traditional Authority Fukamalaza in Nkhatabay district are excited following the construction of a new bridge on Luwafini River which has been detaching them for decades of accessing social services during rainy seasons.

The bridge which has been constructed by a 39 year old Liston Kanyoli Manda has brought smiles following recent reports of several expectant mothers losing lives when they were being referred to Old Maula Health Center for delivery,

Speaking in a telephone interview, Manda who is based in South Africa said patients, school learners and those with physical challenges could not connect to and from Chintheche whenever it rains hence considering to construct the first ever bridge using personal resources on Luwafini River for public use.

“There has been no bridge on Luwafini River for decades, the elderly, expectant mothers and learners could not cross to either side of Chintheche so you can imagine what it was like,” Manda said.

One of the beneficiaries of the new bridge, a visually impaired 46 year old, Maggie Kamanga said her life was ruined having failed to access basic education since every rainy season spelled doom to her and other learners with physical challenges as they could not manage to cross the river going to school.

As you can see, am visually impaired so whenever we received rains together with colleagues with various physical challenges that was the end of our school term, we couldn’t also be able to access health services, God bless bwana Kanyoli,” said Manda

Speaking on behalf of Group Village Headman Nkhungulu, village headman Muyewa narrated some of the numerous sad stories happening in the absence of the newly constructed bridge affecting people of Dindano, Chimbowolo, Kang’oma and Maula villages which is the catchment area for Old Maula Health Center.

Meanwhile, Kanyoli will on Saturday this week launch a K2 million constituency football and netball trophy aimed at tapping and nurture talent at grassroots in Nkhatabay South East constituency whose parliamentarian is Noah Chimpeni.