Chitungulu Chiefdom in Lumezi district of Eastern Province has been cut off from the rest of the district following a heavy downpour that washed away the road and affected a critical crossing point in the area.
Following two days of heavy rains, the Chitungulu to Bulete road at Mbuzi village was washed away making it impassable due to the strong current while the Mbuzi bridge was also partially affected during the downpour.
Lumezi Town Council Secretary, Mary Sinkala who visited the site said the Local Authority has moved in to put remedial works in order to make the road at least passable during the rainy season after which, the Council will move in to have critical works done on the affected areas.
Ms. Sinkala says the Council has since engaged more than 20 workers under the Cash for Work program to assist with temporal works on both the affected road and crossing point in Chitungulu.
“We experienced heavy rainfall and that has damaged the road and if this is completely cut off, the chiefdom will not be able to get to the center of Lumezi because they will be stuck here until the rain is done. But Cash for Work will help us in terms of labour so that we are able to finish the work in good time,” said Ms. Sinkala.
The remedial works to be done include provision of three culverts, graveling and compacting as well as stone pitching to make the chiefdom accessible and allow people access essential goods and services by the local people.
And Chief Chitungulu of the Chewa speaking people commended the Council for swiftly moving in to work on the affected road and bridge after the heavy rains.
The traditional leader further implored community members to closely work with the Council to ensure that the Chiefdom is reconnected to the rest of the district.
This is contained in a statement issued to RCV News by Lumezi Town Council Assistant Public Relations Officer Irvin Muyumbwa.
By Margaret Mwanza
