Rugogo bridge linking Mabayi to Bukinanyana commune in Cibitoke province is about to collapse at any moment. Administration officials reassure the local residents from both localities.
Rugogo bridge is gradually collapsing
Located at 118 km from the capital Bujumbura, Rugogo bridge connecting Mabayi commune to that of Bukinanyana can completely collapse at any moment. Only motorbikes and pedestrians can venture there at their own risk. On 27 December, around 11:00 a.m., all transport vehicles and trucks turned back as Rugogo bridge is gradually collapsing due to abundant rains that fall in this region these days.
Local residents no longer know which way to turn. Ngendakuriyo, a seller of banana met on Rugogo bridge says he faces several challenges and work at a loss. “I have to pay at least BIF 100 per banana for the transport of my goods. The price is also similar to the transport of banana wine”, he says.
The impracticality of this road also affects the prices of some foodstuffs. The price of flour cost BIF 500 a few months ago. Today, it is bought between BIF 700 and 800. “Not only is flour expensive, but also the price of beans is rising. A kg of beans is bought between BIF 1500 and 1700 against BIF 1200 BIF the past months,” he says.
The inhabitants of these two communes say the bridge has begun to collapse for four months. “The bridge collapse is gradual but so far nothing has been done yet” says one inhabitant. They say they are now locked in an isolated place: “We do not move freely and the goods either.”
The revenues of the two communes have also decreased. A tax collection officer met on a fence located at 500 m from the broken bridge in Mabayi commune says only motorcycles pay taxes. “There are no more transport vehicles passing through here,” he says.
The movement of sick people is also affected. “The ambulance cannot pass by here easily. People are obliged to transport sick people themselves”, says a resident of Bukinanyana commune.
The movement of pregnant women and children is becoming more and more a puzzle. “The ambulance must bypass Cibitoke province, through Gisenyi area and Murwi commune to reach Rusendo hospital in Mabayi commune,” he explains, before adding sadly: “There are those who die on the way.”
Local residents from Mabayi and Bukinanyana communes urge the administrative officials to find a quick solution: “Otherwise, we will die of hunger”. Four months without doing anything! The situation would not have been worse if the administration had got involved in time”, says a local resident.
Tea farmers also affected
Tea growers from Bukinanyana commune also have difficulties in transporting the tea they have gathered. They say they have to travel several kilometers to get to Buhoro Tea Factory at more than 30 km in Mabayi commune. “Vehicles in charge of collecting the tea picked in our commune are now rare. And the growers cannot walk that distance with the tea on their heads. They prefer to give up everything”, says a tea farmer from Bukinanyana commune.
Gérard Niyimbona, manager of Buhoro Tea Factory says they also work at a loss in terms of time and fuel. “We are forced to drive round the province and use two vehicles to go from one commune to another,” says Niyimbona.
He says vehicles use the national road RN10 through the section leading to Bujumbura to cross Buganda commune. Arrived in the locality of Mikoni (Bukinanyana), a vehicle collects the tea and another will take it from Mabayi commune. “Employees are obliged to unload and load these two vehicles. It’s very slow, and we consume twice as much fuel as before.” Since the bridge has collapsed, the factory has already collected picked tea once. : “We normally collect tea every ten days”.
Gérard Niyimbona says the tea factory must facilitate the tea farmers; otherwise, he says, they will give up the crop easily if they encounter difficulties.
Pascal Basarurwuzuye, administrator of Mabayi commune recognizes that the losses are enormous. “All concerned authorities are informed. The governor has already warned the Ministry of Public Works. The road fund management team must make an estimate. We are waiting for the answer,” says the administrator.
Mr. Basarurwuzuye says his commune has looked for support from a local association which exploits the minerals so as to trace a deviation down the road. “Meanwhile we hope things will be better,” he concludes.
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