Kalambo, RUKWA: It has been reported that the construction of the 60-meter-long Kalambo River stone bridge, connecting the villages of Mkowe, Mao, and Katapulo in the Mkowe Ward of Kalambo District, Rukwa Region, has been a significant help to the local community by easing transportation and logistics.
The councilor of Mkowe Ward, Alfred Mpandashalo expressed gratitude to the government under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan for building the bridge, which has been a lifesaver for the residents of Mkowe, Katapulo, and Mao villages, making it easier to reach the district headquarters for social services.
“This bridge connects our Mkowe Ward to Mpuluma Ward. Before its construction, during the rainy season, the waters used to rise significantly. We lost some of our loved ones who drowned while attempting to cross the river, and even our livestock died. But now, after the construction of this bridge, the community is happy as it helps us easily access social services,” he said.
Joseph Chakupewa, a resident of Mkowe Village, also thanked the government through TARURA for building the bridge. He explained that previously, students, pregnant women, and even farmers faced difficulties crossing the river to access social services. However, now the bridge has been a lifesaver for the community in their daily activities.
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On his part, Engineer Collins Mlashani, the project supervisor from TARURA in Kalambo District, stated that the Kalambo River bridge, located on the 27.6 km Kanyalakata-Mao-Mkowe road, was built using stones through the RISE project, which is part of the barrier removal initiative funded by a concessional loan from the World Bank. He mentioned that the project is currently 95% complete.
He added that the remaining work includes raising the embankment and placing road signs, and expressed his gratitude to the government for providing funds to help the community access social services and facilitate communication.
