Written by Mulindi Carey Adekhela 2012-07-04 16:53:00 Read 1008 Times

Residents of Sirwa Yala are living with a looming danger of a damaged bridge linking Hamisi and Emugwen constituencies due to the ongoing heavy rainfall witnessed in the region.

According to the area residents, the said bridge has been a bone of contention between the area mps whom they are yet to come to an agreement on who is to fund its repair as the area residents’ fear for the lives of their children crossing the bridge while going to school.

The 18 year old bridge serving Emgwen and Hamisi Constituency, now in need of repair but political differences among the Mps has made it to be worse.

The bridge is located on the side of Emugwen Constituency and the schools that use that bridge are located in Hamisi Constituency a thing that has led to its negligence.

The bridge has no side rails as a result, posing danger to the users especially school children. The residents say that it becomes dangerous when it rains as the water underneath rise and they fear they may break the bridge if no action is taken.

Speaking to West Fm a teacher from Kaptis Primary School who sought anonymity, said that they are worried the river may claim lives of students if the bridge is not repaired.

Some of the instituions served by the Bridge.

The residents are also calling upon tractor drivers who come to collect harvested sand from the river to respect the bridge limit. They claim that tractors cross the bridge in spite of the height limit placed at the bridge. They claim that the drivers of the tractors unplug exhaust pipes from the tractors so us to access the bridge a practice that weakens it.

The residents are also calling upon the Hamisi legislator to consider the condition of the road leading to George Khaniri Secondary School as it becomes impossible to access the school when it rains.

George Khaniri secondary school, Kaptis primary school, Lugose primary school and George Khaniri dispensary are among the institutions depending on the road and bridge on their day to day activity.

The bridge was built in 1989 after a number of people drowned in the river.

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