Parliamentarian for Rumphi West has since demanded of government to move in with required speed to reconstruct Kamphenda bridge.

The legislator, Yona Mkandawire, made the call Friday when he visited the place where the bridge used to be to assess the extent of damage and impact on the community.

“This is now a death trap as some people are still walking across it every day to get to the other side. Government needs to come in. Another bridge has to be constructed here,” he said.

The bridge is crucial for students living on one side of the river but have to access a secondary school on the other side every morning and later return home.

“You cannot get food stuff, medical items across. And it’s almost impassable for students as damaged beyond measure. We could lose people if we do not fix this in time,” Mkandawire observed.

Transport and Public works minister, Ralph Juma, also visited the site to appreciate the challenges and pledged construction of a temporary bridge beginning next week.

“As soon as the rainy season ends, we will start working on constructing a permanent bridge,” Juma said.

The collapsed bridge in only two years old. It followed another which also gave in before it. The crossing connects Bolero and Mwazisi a trade centre on one side.