Dilapidated bridges in Karongi paralyse transport

KARONGI - Two destroyed bridges on a feeder road linking Karongi district and other districts in the Southern Province have severely affected the transport network in the area. The two bridges along the same road were destroyed last month during a heavy downpour. Failure to repair them has rendered the usually busy road, impassable. The road also leads to Kirinda Hospital, one of Karongi’s best equipped health facilities. “My daughter got a transfer to Karongi Hospital a few days ago, but the hospital ambulance could not transport her because of the broken bridges,” 45-year old Esperance Mukamana lamented. She said that friends and relatives resorted to carrying the patient on stretchers up to the hospital. It is clearly seen that traders have also suffered a major blow by the delayed repair of these bridges. “It has sometimes been difficult to go through this road …but the breakdown of the bridges has worsened the situation,” one trader in Gashyali sector said. The route is normally used by traders who deal in agricultural produce such as tea and coffee. When The New Times visited the sites yesterday, people were being hired to carry passengers on their backs to enable them cross the river . The District Executive Secretary, Yves Ningabire, acknowledged the delays, but said plans are underway to get them repaired. He said that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Rwanda Transport Development Authority (RTDA) had finalized an assessment exercise to identify what is required for the rehabilitation of the road in general. “If all goes well, the rehabilitation works will kick off Wednesday next week,” he said. sam.nkurunziza@newtimes.co.rw

National

Dilapidated bridges in Karongi paralyse transport