Road users
have been stranded after floods cut off two major bridges in Sikuda Sub County,
Busia district. The bridges are Solo which
connects from Sikuda to Dabani sub-county and the Nakhola bridge which connects
Sikuda to Busitema sub-county through Busitema University.
On Wednesday, River Solo burst its banks and swept part of Solo Bridge while
Nakhola Bridge was flooded by the water from part of River Malaba. URN
reporter saw several people stranded on either side of the bridge.
Sylvester
Egesa, the acting Busia District Engineer says that they are waiting for funds
to repair the bridges.
Fred Mayende, Omudinka Siraji, Wafula Nambolwa among other residents of
Sikuda sub-county says that the flooding of the two bridges has affected the movement
of their children to school. He adds that
the roads leading to the schools are also impassable.
Voxpop.
//Cue in: “Handi abandu bafiira…
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hutye ohusoma”//
Hannington
Wabwire, the LCI Chairman Buchicha Village says that Solo Bridge has been in
a sorry state for the last five years. He says that last year, two people were
swept off by the high volume of water.
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out:..yeeta nabandu”//
Moses Okello, the District Councilor Sikuda sub-county says that he will follow
up with the works committee chairperson about the 5 million shillings that was
allocated for the refurbishment of the Solo Bridge.
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“Is worrying that…
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Improve the situation”//
Abubakar Bin
Issa, the Sikuda Sub County LCIII Chairman says that they have written several
letters requesting intervention but in vain. He says that the bridge becomes
impassable whenever it rains paralyzing transport in the area.
He says that
residents should not cross the submerged bridge, saying they risk drowning.
Gabriel Mukisa
Freelancer