The Roads Authority (RA) says a tendering process is underway to identify contractors and ascertain the final costs for works to reinstate bridges which were damaged by Cyclone Freddy last year.

The RA board chairperson, Reverend Dr. Matilda Matabwa, told Zodiak Online assessments and cost estimates were already generated and forwarded to potential financiers including DoDMA, Roads Fund Administration and Treasury.

"We are waiting for feedback from the potential financiers including DoDMA, Roads Fund Administration and Treasury after we had submitted assessments and the generated cost estimates," Dr. Matabwa said.

She added: "The final costs to reinstate the bridges will be known once the tendering process to identify Contractors for the affected areas is concluded."

Meanwhile, as the rains approach, Luchenza Municipal Council Mayor, Councillor Syze Simeji has called on the government to expedite the processes and reconstruct four essential bridges in the municipality.

Simeji mentioned Makande-Mwitere bridge on Namadzi River, Nankhumwa bridge on the Litchenza River, and Zalewa and Nkalo bridges both on the Thuchira River whose damage cut peoples access to essential services.

"They should finalize the processes on time because the bridges need a quick fix as currently, communities from those areas are forced to use Nkando or Limbe roads to access services in the municipality," he said.

Meanwhile, social commentator Caesar Kondowe fears that any delays to reinstate the bridges will seclude the affected areas and compromise the dispatching of the inputs under the Affordable Inputs Program (AIP).

"I remember some time ago, President Lazarus Chakwera stated that the funds were available for the reconstruction of the bridges. Now it becomes very problematic to hear that they are yet to be reinstated," he said.

Torrential rainfall sparked by the cyclone left a trail of destruction across 15 southern region districts including 44 roads and over 40 bridges.