Residents of Bugesera and Nyanza districts have appealed to authorities to help repair a bridge on  Akanyaru River, Nyanza-Bugesera road.

The bridge broke down about nine months ago paralysing movement between the two districts.

Alex Nkurunziza, a motorcyclist from Mareba Sector, Bugesera District said the broken bridge has paralysed transport with some children failing to go to school.

Trucks that used to transport cassava flour from Muhanga to Bugesera also no longer come, he said.

Clarisse Ingabire, a student at EAV Mayaga, a secondary school in Nyanza District said they used to travel by bus to Bugesera but after the bridge broke they travel by a motorcycle which is comparatively costly.

"We used to pay Rwf1,000 on a bus but we are now paying Rwf3,000 on a motorcycle from Ruhuha Sector to EAV Mayaga,” she said.

Motorcyclists said they pay highly to have their motorcycles cross the river.

 "When we reach at the collapsed bridge, we are required to pay Rwf500 to help carry the motorcycle across to the other side of the river,” said Nkurunziza.

He claimed that three men have previously been assaulted after failing to pay the Rwf500.

Nkurunziza said they have increased transport fares because of the crossing charges.

It is about sharing the burden with passengers, he said.

He suggested that the crossing charges should  be reduced to Rwf200 per motorcycle.

Dismas Uwizeyimana, one of the 27 workers who help carry the motorcycles at the broken bridge said they used to charge Rwf300 but increased owing to the risks involved.

"We carry out bridge maintenance, and incase of any accident we help out. For instance, recently a motocycle fell into the river and we had to remove it.  We therefore, decided to increase the fee to Rwf500 owing to the risks involved,” he said.

However, the Nyanza District Mayor, Abdallah Murenzi said the works to fix the bridge  have started in partenership with Rwanda Transport Development Agency.

The Bugesera Mayor, Louis Rwagaju also added that the bridge is already under construction and will soon be ready.