Floods paralyse Amuria

Residents of Amuria district cannot access education and health services in the area following the recent floods that led to the collapse of two bridges.

 

Kirik and Tukum bridges were washed away following heavy rainfall that flooded most parts of the district, according to district chairman John Frances Oluma.

 

Oluma said about 1,000 residents of Achinga and Kapelebyong parishes were affected since these were the only bridges that linked them to the health centres and schools. 

 

He said Kirik bridge which is built across River Kirik links residents of eight villages in Achinga parish to Acowa sub-county where education and health services are found. 

 

Tukum bridge on the other hand, according to Oluma, is a major link for the people of Kapelebyong parish to Okobol sub-county where they also access social services.

 

“These areas have since become islands. During the recent mass immunisation exercise, we had to hire motorboats to enable our health workers access those villages to immunise children,” Oluma said.

 

“This is a disaster because over 400 children from Achinga parish who used to use Kirik bridge to access Angolebwal Primary School are no longer studying. I am appealing to the Central Government to rescue us,” he added.

 

Oluma said three people, including a police constable drowned recently as they attempted to wade across the river.

He identified the Police constable as Patrick Kauta. Others who died are Emmanuel Omeritum and a young boy, who was still unidentified.

 

Alfred Malinga, the Amuria chief administrative officer, said the road, including the bridge, was supposed to be rehabilitated under the Community Agriculture Infrastructural Programme but the company contracted by the central government was not doing much.

 

Patrick Esadu, the LC1 chairman for Oduku village, said besides paralysing business in the area, the water is also infested with crocodiles which they believe may cause serious injuries or loss of lives of residents when they attempt to cross.

 

Residents who talked to New Vision said many of them had resorted to herbs and traditional medicines to treat diseases like malaria and diarrhoea. In addition, pregnant women are delivering with the help of traditional birth attendants.