Residents of Ngwerere ward of Chongwe district have appealed to the government to rehabilitate Kampasa foot bridge which has been in an impassable state for many years.

Speaking during a meeting held by Chongwe Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo with residents from some farms in the area, Ngwerere Ward Development Committee Chairperson Tamara Banda disclosed that residents have been passing through land belonging to Zambia National Service (ZNS) to access the southern part of the ward.

Ms Banda said the situation has resulted in a lot of residents being punished or beaten up by ZNS officers manning the land on the basis of trespassing on the property.

“We are appealing to Chongwe Municipal Council to consider rehabilitating the bridge because residents are being beaten by ZNS officers for passing through their land which is one of the shortest alternative routes that people have opted to use,” Ms. Banda said. 

She indicated that rehabilitating the bridge will also reduce the distance covered by school children who have been forced to use longer routes to access schools.

In response, Ms Masebo assured the residents that she will make efforts to lobby for funds from Chongwe Municipal council to rehabilitate the bridge.

She also added that she will engage the owners of Galunia farms where the bridge is located to seek permission to allow the local authority to work on the bridge.

“I will engage the owner of Galunia farms to ask if they can assist in rehabilitating the bridge and also allow the council to rehabilitate the bridge. It is important that we seek permission before works on the bridge commerce,” Ms Masebo added.

Ms Masebo stated that it is important for the bridge to be functional to ease movement for school going children who are walking long distances to go to school.

She commended the community for participating in the process of prioritising projects which will be implemented in the area through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).