By Ronnie Wabomba
BULAMBULI
Residents of Bulambuli Town Council in Bulambuli District have expressed anger over alleged shoddy works on the Simu River Bridge located in Butta, linking Bukhalu Sub County to Bulambuli Town Council.
Locals who spoke to our reporter today like Andrew Khatondi, Suzan Awasa, Wamono Richard, Robert Makayi, and Makoba Richard Muyiya, say the bridge has worsened flooding in the area. They claim that during the rainy season, they are forced to undress and cross the flooded bridge naked due to rising water levels. They add that the bridge, which reportedly cost over 504 million shillings, is too narrow, poorly constructed, and has failed to solve the problem.
Makayi Simon, LC1 Chairperson of Burukuru A Village, says the situation has deteriorated since construction began, forcing school children to stay home whenever it rains and to struggle to move, adding that not even a motorcycle can cross even during the dry season.
Joseph Magona, the Town Clerk, acknowledges the flooding concerns but urges residents to remain patient as the project is still ongoing, including additional works such as murram filling on both sides of the bridge. He says the final cost will rise to 800 million shillings.
Bulambuli County MP Biara Emmanuel Wepukhulu visited the Bridge site today in his constitutional oversight role and vehemently condemned the alleged corruption and shoddy work. He asked the RDC to take action by arresting the Engineer and said he will follow-up on the matter to the Ministry and State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
RDC Bulambuli George Magunda has given the engineer one month to complete the works or face arrest.
