Transport between the districts of Gakenke and Muhanga has finally resumed four months after it got paralysed by a breakdown of the Gahira Bridge that connects Rongi sector in Muhanga to Ruli in Gakenke.

Eric Bizimana, the vice Mayor in charge of economic development, told The New Times on Thursday that the bridge, which had been affected by floods and erosion on River Nyabarongo had finally been rehabilitated, allowing for resumption of transport.

The bridge had also been vandalized by criminal elements on both sides.

"The rehabilitation works for the bridge were complete this week and the water transport is resuming,” he said.

Rehabilitation works for the bridge stretching 60 metres cost over Rwf185 million and the works were undertaken by the Rwanda Defence Force’s Engineering Brigade.

Meanwhile, Bizimana confirmed that permanent daily community patrol (Irondo) has been deployed on both sides of the banks to ensure gangs do not destroy the bridge again.

"Those who had destroyed the bridge are still being pursued by the courts,” he said.

Sustainable bridge in offing

The official said that the bridge that has been completed was a temporary solution while a sustainable one is under study by Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) in partnership with the two districts.

The plan is to have a better bridge that is resilient to disasters and will also allow heavy vehicles and trucks to cross. 

"Currently, the temporary bridge can only be used by pedestrians and light vehicles. It is mainly for Gakenke residents to take their merchandise to Mbuye market in Muhanga while Muhanga residents cross to Gakenke for work in mining concessions among others,” he said.

Over 1,000 people use the bridge every day, according to authorities.

Fighting erosion, flooding

While the erosion and floods were primary source of damage to the bridge on River Nyabarongo, Bizimana said that about Rwf500 million has been earmarked in next fiscal year to protect the river from erosion.

"We have to protect the river’s buffer zone, plant trees on hills surrounding it and build anti-erosion facilities in the catchment. This will reduce debris, erosion and flooding that usually destroy Gahira Bridge,” he said.

He added that while the rehabilitated bridge is for temporary solution, the district will be working with community and local leaders to always do community work to clear debris and eroded soil that destroy the bridge during heavy rains.

A 2016 study modeled the extent of soil loss in the River Nyabarongo basin, showing that the total annual estimated soil loss was 409 million tons with a mean erosion rate of 490 tonne per hectare.

A new research carried out from April to October 2021 also found that the absence of soil erosion control measures accounts for 24.4 per cent of the factors that pollute the river.