Sukari Industries Company Ltd have procured a motorboat to assist members of the public cross river Kuja in Ndhiwa Sub-county following the collapse of a bridge this week.
The boat will assist thousands of traders connect between markets across Migori and Homa Bay counties.
The Riat Bridge which was constructed by the British Military in 1980, collapsed this week under the weight of a sugarcane trailer during heavy rains.
The bridge was economically significant since it was a link between Oria market in Migori and markets in Ndhiwa Sub-county
The collapse of the Bridge rendered thousands of traders to incur heavy losses due to inability to access the markets.
The Bridge caved in under the weight of a trailer which plunged into the river with a full load of sugarcane.
Ndhiwa Member of Parliament (MP), Martin Owino, received the boat, Saturday, to be used temporarily by residents.
The motorboat was handed over to the public by the Sukari Industry Ltd General Manager, David Okoth.
“The boat has a capacity of ten people and it will be transporting people across the river free of charge,” Okoth said.
Owino said he had talked to police who assured him that at least three officers will be deployed in the area to control the use of the motorboat.
The Legislator noted that there was a likelihood of a stampede, however, he added that three officers will be deployed to control crowds.
He said he had negotiated for Sh30 million from the Government to help in the construction of a footbridge across the river. The project will be implemented by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).
“The footbridge will be a temporary measure because it will only allow pedestrians and bodaboda riders to cross the river. We will request more funds from the government to enable us construct a permanent bridge here,” the Legislator said.
The residents called for a permanent solution, saying that the river is infested with hippopotamuses and crocodiles which posed a risk to those who may attempt to swim across the river.
By Davis Langat
