Member of Parliament for Zomba Lisanjala, Dr. William Susuwele Banda, has urged the Ministry of Transport and Public Works to prioritize the rehabilitation of the Lisanjala Bridge, which was washed away during Cyclone Freddy.
Banda raised the issue in Parliament on Thursday under a matter of national importance. He highlighted that the Lisanjala Bridge in the Chathina area connects people to Zomba Chingale, Zomba North, and Blantyre, serving as a short route between Liwonde and Blantyre.
Responding on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Leader of the House and Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, assured the MP that the government would rehabilitate the bridge once funds become available, noting it as a priority project. He added that the restoration would not only improve transportation but also enhance the economic opportunities for local communities.
In a supplementary question, Susuwele Banda requested that minor repairs be made in the meantime to allow motorists and cyclists to pass through. Chimwendo Banda advised him to consult the National Roads Authority for consideration of such interim repairs. Several other MPs raised similar concerns regarding road and bridge rehabilitation
