The Manonyane Community Council in Maseru says, it is facing a major hurdle in constructing the vital Litenteng Bridge in Roma due to lack of funds.

The Council’s Chairperson Makhaola Chele confirmed today that, while the bridge was indeed included in the Council’s 2025 budget, the allocated funds are far from sufficient for construction.

Chele highlighted the growing concern over the poor quality and repeated collapses of temporary bridges, which villagers have been forced to build. He has urged the government to consider using the Titima Operating Fund to respond to emergencies like damaged roads and collapsed bridges.

The original Litenteng Bridge collapsed back in December 2020 due to heavy rains. Since then, makeshift structures have repeatedly failed – with temporary bridges collapsing in December 2023 and again, just three months later in March of this year.