The newly constructed Kanyelele Bridge in Mpika District, Muchinga Province, is set to permanently resolve the severe transport and logistical challenges that have long affected local residents and motorists. This follows the successful completion of the multi-million-kwacha…

The newly constructed Kanyelele Bridge in Mpika District, Muchinga Province, is set to permanently resolve the severe transport and logistical challenges that have long affected local residents and motorists.

This follows the successful completion of the multi-million-kwacha Kanyelele bridge.

The bridge was constructed by the Zambia National Service (ZNS) and funded through the National Disaster Risk Management Division (NDRMD).

The completion of the bridge was confirmed by the Division’s Director for Disaster Humanitarian and Operations Management, Amos Mumba, during a site inspection visit conducted to assess the quality of works ahead of the bridge’s official commissioning.

Mr Mumba said the bridge is a strategic piece of infrastructure that directly connects the district to the Kanyelele Gold Mine, thereby enhancing access to the area and supporting economic activities.

He stated that the Kanyelele and Sasubele bridges, together with several other crossing points being constructed across Muchinga Province at a total cost of over 9,098,255 kwacha are fundamentally transforming the lives of local communities.

Mr Mumba, however, cautioned that while the permanent infrastructure is capable of supporting heavy mining machinery, proactive control measures must be implemented immediately to regulate traffic and safeguard the bridge’s long-term durability.

Meanwhile, for local motorists, the completion of the bridge marks the end of a perilous and frustrating chapter, as they will no longer have to contend with the challenges and risks previously associated with crossing the Kanyelele River.

Jackson Sichula, a local motorist, expressed his gratitude to the government for delivering on its promise.

He recounted the challenges drivers faced prior to the construction, noting that accessing neighbouring areas was often an impossible task.

“We used to get cut off completely,” Mr. Sichula explained. “Driving through this area was a nightmare, especially during the rainy season.”

“Vehicles would get stuck, and sometimes we had to cancel trips entirely, which crippled our business. This bridge is a lifesaver,” he added.

Mr Sichula said the lack of a proper crossing point previously paralyzed daily life in the district, directly impacting agriculture, education, and healthcare.

He noted that before the ZNS intervention, farmers, school-going children, and community members could not cross to either side of the river whenever water levels rose.

Mr Sichula also highlighted that farmers watched their produce spoil as they failed to reach markets, while pupils routinely missed classes for days due to the dangerous currents.

And Frezer Ndaba, a resident of Mpika, thanked the government for the development, describing the construction of the bridge as a turning point for the community.

“For a long time, our children risked their lives trying to get to school, and simple errands across the river were impossible. This bridge restores our dignity and opens up our area for real growth,” he stated.

The Kanyelele Bridge is now undergoing final assessments and is expected to be officially commissioned soon, permanently restoring safe, year-round connectivity to Mpika District.