The ManicaPost
Freedom Mutanda Post Correspondent
Ngaone villagers, Allied Timbers and pirate taxi operators joined hands and rehabilitated Masonga bridge linking Chimanimani and Chipinge, which was destroyed by Cyclone Idai.
Masonga Bridge which links Samhutsa and Chipinge along the Tanganda River was swept away by the devastating Cyclone Idai, rendering Ngaone inaccessible. The villagers from Ward 2, Chipinge West, built the makeshift bridge and cleared debris on the Gombati-Ngaone-Skyline road.
Mushikashika drivers who ply the Chipinge–Ngaone route pooled their resources to ferry members of the community to the Masonga Bridge in order to rehabilitate it. A local company, Allied Timbers, chipped in with labour and fuel to ensure that the community project became a success.
“We decided to be part of the solution after Cyclone Idai devastated our area and destroyed roofs at Ngaone Primary and High Schools. In the wake of the cyclone, Ngaone was virtually inaccessible and men and women had to walk from Gombati to Samhutsa, Museye and Ngaone,’’ said Webster Chigariso, the chairperson of the Ngaone Development Association.
Mr Agrippa Mayanga, the councillor and Mr Ozen Dakarai mobilised the people and roped in the Member of Parliament as well as traditional leadership to see to it that the river became passable.
Commuter omnibus drivers were hit hard by the cyclone as their revenue inflows dwindled. They decided partner the community in a miniature Public-Private-Partnership.
“As mushikashika drivers, we lost a lot of revenue but Phainas Chirigo and others took it upon themselves to help in making a makeshift bridge where Masonga crosses Tanganda River. Saw millers provided chain saws to cut down wattle trees which had fallen on the road to Skyline where the epicentre of the cyclone was domiciled,’’ said Stephen Zithi, one of the organisers.
Corporates came on board. Allied Timbers provided manpower and 50 litres of fuel. The employees cleared mudslides which had blocked some parts of the road linking Ngaone and Skyline after Cyclone Idai swept across that belt.
“Masonga bridge was clogged by rocks, trees and sand; consequently, the Tanganda River had to make a detour. Accordingly, we had to meet here on 25 April and work on the makeshift bridge. All able-bodied men in Ward 2 carried stones and laid them across the river. The MP, Mr Sibonile Nyamudeza and Mr Zithi used their trucks to carry gravel to the bridge. We can safely say: Ngaone is now reachable notwithstanding that there are still a lot of things to be done to alleviate suffering in the wake of the cyclone,’’ Mr Chigariso said.
Councillor Mayanga paid tribute to the villagers saying they showed they could uplift their area when they had unity of purpose.
“I salute Ward 2 residents for their resilience and unity of purpose. However, we still need government,’’ he said.
