The development of the Laropi bridge was identified under the National Development Plan III as required infrastructure to facilitate connectivity across the River Nile in order to enhance improved household incomes and quality of life in the region.
Madi citizens and leaders have asked the government to accelerate
the construction of Laropi-Umi Bridge on the Nile, to ease movement between
Moyo and Adjumani districts.
The development of the Laropi bridge was identified under the National Development Plan III as required infrastructure to facilitate connectivity across the River Nile in order to enhance improved household incomes and quality of life in the region.
While
speaking during the official launch of the Laropi Bridge Advocacy and Lobbying strategy at Laropi town council
in Moyo district on Sunday, Tom Alero Aza, the West Moyo County Member of
Parliament, says that using the ferry to cross the Nile is no longer sufficient
and sustainable due to the increased number of travelers.
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Currently
movement between Moyo and Adjumani is by ferry, which has limited operational
time and occasionally breaks down. Travelers make long queues and
wait for several hours before they can cross from one side of the river to
another.
Chandia
Bernadette, the former Moyo Woman Member of Parliament contestant says that the
construction of the bridge by government is long overdue. She notes
that the once in place, the bridge will improve trade and commerce in West
Nile and Uganda by linking the goods produced by industries in Uganda to
markets in the South Sudan.
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Gabriel Victor Luzira, another resident notes that the bridge will eliminate
the problems of time lost at waiting for the ferry movement schedules.
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The Laropi/Umi ferry has a capacity of 120 tonnes and carries an average of 1,500
to 1,800 people per day with a minimum of 12 trips and a maximum of 22 trips. The
ferry has a capacity of 180 passengers and cargo of 90 tonnes, according to
the national roads authority.
Ceaser
Andevu, the chairperson of Laropi Bridge Advocacy and Lobbying Forum says they
will not tire to advocate for the bridge which he says is critical for the
people of West Nile.
“The
advocacy and lobbying for the Bridge shall continue until the Bridge is seen
put in place. I encouraged the people not to relax”, he said.
Allan Ssempebwa, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) communications
manager has blamed the delayed construction of Laropi bridge on lack of funds.
“This
is a strategic bridge in the national development programme which is currently under
implementation," he said. "The government is trying to secure financing for
the implementation. When financing is realised implementation shall
kick."
According
to the project design, the proposed bridge will have 7m carriage width, 2m shoulders,
2m walkway and standard Paved Class II approach roads. The proposed Laropi-Umi
bridge will be located at a spot where the Atiak-Laropi road which is currently
under development intersects with Laropi-Moyo-Afoji on River Nile.
