Residents of Mwivona and Bondeni villages in Lugari sub county have called on leaders to help them construct a bridge to connect Lumakanda and Lugari wards after the one they were relying on to cross river Lumakanda was swept away by water following heavy rains
pondering the area.
Led by Mr. Wycliffe Juma and Mrs. Rose Chesoli, the residents said they were going through hard time in attempt to cross the swollen river since the bridge which was made of logs was washed away early last week.
Mr. Juma regretted how two female students of Manyonyi secondary school were forced to camp at the river up to 11. pm waiting for the water flow and level to reduce for them to cross without knowing that the bridge had been carried away.
Being unable to reach their homes across in Bondeni village the girls were rescued by a Good Samaritan at about midnight who gave them shelter at his home in Mwivona village.
The residents said there are so many children from Lumakanda side who cross the river to go to schools like Mahemas primary, Lwanda Lugari primary and secondary and Manyonyi secondary in Lugari ward while others crossed the river from Lugari side to go to Tekoa primary and Mbaya primary and secondary schools,
They claimed that for the past one week their children have missed classes after being unable to cross the river following the incident.
Not only pupils are affected but also teachers who live on either side of the river and cross it to reach their schools as they have been forced to use a longer route which is expensive and time consuming.
Business people from Bondeni village who trade their goods across at Mungano market have been left counting losses especially for those who sale fruits, vegetable and other perishable goods.
“Many business have been affected, we cannot reach Mungano market where we sale our goods daily, vegetables, tomatoes, fish and fruits have spoiled since we cannot cross to the market,” they lamented.
Boda boda operators who were used to the route have also been affected as they can no longer use the shortcut from Lumakanda to Mautuma central scheme across.
They are now urging local leaders from the region to construct a better bridge that will last longer and help them get services easily saying there was a disaster in waiting if the situation is not rectified on time since some people have been trying to risk their lives by crossing through the raging waters.
