Work on Rwenya Bridge rehabilitation progressing well

Staff Writer

MARONDERA- The re-construction works on parts of the Rwenya Bridge in Mudzi district which was swept away by floods in 2012 are progressing well and indications are that the bridge could be opened for pedestrians at the end of the year while traffic will be allowed to use it in March next year.
A private contractor, Bitumen World, was given the task to reconstruct the bridge as well as rehabilitate the gravel road which links Nyamapanda in Mashonaland East and part of Nyanga district in Manicaland Province.
The contractor 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.
All materials needed for the job at hand is on site and as highly anticipated, the completion and commissioning of Rwenya bridge will bring back economic activities between Mashonaland East and Manicaland provinces as people from both provinces will access social services easily.
Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona who toured the site recently 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.
Minister Mhona was accompanied by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East Dr Aplonia Munzverengi and other senior Government officials.
“Whenever you hear us 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.
“In a few months time, this bridge will be complete and opened to people and vehicles. We have witnessed the great works being done here and it is not happening here alone. As we speak, we are working on Wedza-Mushandirapamwe road, Murewa-Madicheche road as well as Melfort-Marondera road along Mutare highway. President Mnangagwa and the Second Republic 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.
Dr Munzverengi thanked the New Dispensation under President Mnangagwa for repairing Rwenya bridge, citing that the bridge is pivotal for socio-economic activities for Manicaland and Mashonaland East Provinces.
“I want to thank the New Dispensation because after its inception, it has done a lot of developments in our province and these include the repairing of Rwenya Bridge. This development shows that President Mnangagwa means it when he say no place and no one will be left behind.
“Economic-wise, this is good for us as Mashonaland East and Manicaland. President Mnangagwa has also promised to construct a dam nearby for irrigation projects because as we all know, Nyamapanda is a dry area. So the New Dispensation is doing a lot for the people and we are thankful as a province,” she said.
Shingirai Chiriga from Rwenya, Mudzi said completion of this bridge will have a positive impact on the economic activities between Kotwa and Nyanga districts.
“The bridge was washed away in 2012 and since then, nothing had been done but now, the Government has remembered us and we are seeing notable progress. It is our belief that very 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 and our job will be made easier as we will be able to move from this province to buy the timber,”
Zanu PF Mudzi District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairman Mudyiwa Mashonganyika hailed the New Dispensation for reconstructing part of the bridge which was washed away.
“People have been 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. This is a good move in the right direction and we thank President Mnangagwa and the New Dispensation for the great work.