Vurra residents irked by bad state of bridges, roads

Aug 25, 2021

Avuga said due to the bad state of roads, he once delivered a baby of an expectant mother on the roadside because the boda boda rider could not ride on the dilapidated road with the woman.

Vurra residents irked by bad state of bridges, roads

Robert Ariaka
Journalist @New Vision

Residents of Vurra County in Arua district are bitter over broken bridges and the bad state of roads in some parts of the parishes.

The three communities of Kuluva, Ringili, and Anzuu cannot access Kuluva mission hospital and Nyio market after a bridge connecting Kuluva road to Usindi was washed away.

It is now four years since the bridge was washed away making it difficult for women to cross. They are forced to cross via water to access Kuluva hospital and Nyio market.

Joyce Candiru, a resident of Anzuu says when they want to visit Kuluva mission hospital for treatment; it becomes difficult because once there are floods, crossing the washed bridge becomes risky.
Women Walk Through The Water Near The Broken Ozukuva Bridge Linking Kuluva Mission Hospital To Usindi In Vurra Sub County

Women Walk Through The Water Near The Broken Ozukuva Bridge Linking Kuluva Mission Hospital To Usindi In Vurra Sub County

"When we want to access treatment, it becomes difficult and we find it hard. We are forced to use the long route yet the short route would have been better. From Anzuu to Kuluva via Ozukuva River Bridge is 4kms but the long-distance is about 5km," she said.

Baifa Afidra, from Anzuu parish, says they have suffered in accessing health facilities because water continues to block them. "The broken bridge has made us lose children to malaria due to long-distance," she said.

 Afidra says there is a need for urgent fixing of the bridge.

She blamed the former leaders for not working on the bridge, asking the current leaders to urgently consider the construction of the bridge.

According to Afidra, farmers who have cultivated from the eastern side of the river use a longer route to transport their harvest.
Baifa Afidra, From Anzuu Parish Says They Find It Difficult To Access The Health Facility Because Water Continues To Block Them

Baifa Afidra, From Anzuu Parish Says They Find It Difficult To Access The Health Facility Because Water Continues To Block Them

Denis Zade, a resident of Usindi in Vurra County says traders who access Nyio market find it difficult to transport goods. " We ask the leaders to fix the bridge to ease access to markets and health facilities," he said.

Lillian Asinduru, a resident of Ejupala trading center, says the road from Odia Nyadri to Logiri is narrow, causing accidents. She says many women have used motorcycles to access health facilities but when it rains, the road becomes impassable.

Nackson Avuga, a resident of Opia parish is pleased with the decision taken to grade the road. He said on Alaa bridge over 20 people died in a road accident when a truck carrying goods from Kampala fell in Alaa dam after the bridge broke.

Avuga said due to the bad state of roads, he once delivered a baby of an expectant mother on the roadside because the boda boda rider could not ride on the dilapidated road with the woman.

Liberty Opinira of Lio parish in Logiri Sub County where Wariki bridge is in a dilapidated state says it has not been easy to access Logiri health center III.

He said the local community manages the road maintenance and fixes the bridge to access health facilities and educational institutions.

The road connects from Logiri health center III to Anyavu with over 1,000 people who find it difficult to access health centers and markets.

Yovan Adriko, the MP for Vurra County who visited the washed bridge said the absence of the bridge has blocked access to Kuluva hospital on the eastern side and Usindi secondary on the western side.

Adriko says he will lobby the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to help and support the construction of the washed bridge.

Benard Odur, the maintenance technician at UNRA office Arua says, they inspected the Eruba Logiri road connecting Odia Nyadri in Vurra Sub County to Logiri sub-county. He says they have planned for routine maintenance and will carry out mobilization to grade the road.
Benard Odur, The Maintenance Technician At Unra Office Arua Says Once Permision Is Granted They Will Work On The Culverts For The Community Roads,

Benard Odur, The Maintenance Technician At Unra Office Arua Says Once Permision Is Granted They Will Work On The Culverts For The Community Roads,

"We assured the MP that the machines will be brought to grade the road.  Already the Alaa bridge, which is under construction, is nearing completion," he said.

The Odia Logiri road is 23.3kms and the road was last worked on two years ago. Odur says due to some challenges, it has not been attended to but they are now working round the clock to fix it.

The maintenance will have a class C road with spot graveling. Odur says roads maintained during the rainy season are quickly washed by water. Rain is one of the greatest enemies of road maintenance with a high deteriorating rate.

On the Usindi Kuluva road, where the bridge was washed away, Odur says much as it is not under UNRA management but the district, they will extend support once UNRA headquarters authorizes. He says once all approvals are done from UNRA headquarters, the bridges will be fixed.

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