DMMU,RDA,ZNS assess collapsed Kasangala Bridge
By Paul Shalala
A combined team of engineers from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), Road Development Agency (RDA), and Zambia National Service (ZNS) have conducted aerial and ground assessments of the collapsed Kasangala Bridge in Itezhi-Tezhi District in Southern Province.
The team observed the damage caused by three days of rain on Kasangala Bridge, which has cut off Itezhi-Tezhi District from the rest of Southern Province.
DMMU National Coordinator Gabriel Pollen, who led the assessment team, says the situation on the ground is worrying as residents in the southern part of Itezhi-Tezhi are cut off from the Central Business District.
Dr. Pollen says the team of engineers has completed the assessment and is now preparing a Bill of Quantity so that remedial works can be done.
He is hopeful that the Ministry of Finance will release emergency funds to work on the bridge.
RDA Acting Director of Road Maintenance Mubuyeta Kapinda says that once resources are made available, works on the bridge will commence.
Mr. Kapinda says the people of Itezhi-Tezhi need quick help to reconnect the communities that have been separated.
Meanwhile, ZNS Chief of Land Development Branch Japhen Mukanda says engineers are on standby to move on-site and work on the bridge.
Itezhi-Tezhi Member of Parliament Twaambo Mutinta has thanked the engineers who were on the ground to assess the extent of the damage.
