NOLUVO MGIJIMA

AFTER years of struggling to cross the river, villagers can now cross the Ntsingana Bridge, which was built under the Welisizwe Rural Bridge Programme.

The government programme was launched to address the backlog of bridge infrastructure in rural and disadvantaged communities.

The intervention of the SANDF, Department of Public Works and the Ntabankulu Local Municipality resulted in the construction of the Ntsingana Bridge as well as three other bridges in the Ntabankulu area.

In addition to Ntsingana, two other bridges have been completed to ensure the safety of rural communities during floods. They are the Mfundisweni and Dambini bridges.
Gxeni Bridge in Ward 12 remains under construction. On August 15, Ntabankulu Local Municipality mayor Tsileng Sobuthongo visited the Gxeni Bridge to assess the progress made. Municipal spokesman Lungisile Mzanywa said the construction of much needed bridges in the area brought relief to locals.

“We have lost lives as a result of the lack of bridges. In some areas, villagers had to use unsafe methods to cross rivers to access schools and health facilities,” he said.
Meanwhile, a contractor was introduced last year to build the Dikidikini Bridge, which is still in progress.