LUKUMAY ISSUES STRONG STATEMENT ON DETERIORATING ROADS AND AT-RISK BRIDGES IN ARUMERU WEST AS RESIDENTS DECRY HARDSHIPS
By Joseph Ngilisho | ARUMERU
The Member of Parliament for Arumeru West Constituency, Dr. Johannes Lembulung Lukumay, has issued a strong statement and pledged immediate intervention following urgent concerns raised by residents of Mwandeti Ward regarding the poor condition of roads and flood-damaged bridges.
The remarks come after residents from the villages of Engutoto, Losikito, Embibiya, and Engalaon expressed deep frustration over severe infrastructure challenges, particularly the main road connecting the areas, which has become nearly impassable due to extensive damage caused by heavy rains and flooding. Two critical bridges along the route are also at imminent risk of collapse.
Addressing residents, Dr. Lukumay emphasized that it is unacceptable for communities to continue living under such hazardous conditions due to inadequate infrastructure. He noted that the bridges have been significantly weakened by soil erosion resulting from recent floods.
“The bridges at greatest risk include the one located in the Shuleni sub-village in Engutoto and the Loibanguti bridge in Losikito. These are vital links for communication and daily economic activities, and we cannot allow them to remain in this state,” Lukumay stated.
He further explained that substantial portions of the soil surrounding the bridges have been washed away, creating deep gullies and increasing the likelihood of total structural failure if heavy rains persist.
“The government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan is committed to ensuring that citizens are not subjected to such hardship. I have received your concerns, and I will act on them without delay. We will not allow these communities to become isolated,” he stressed.
The legislator revealed that he has already initiated consultations with the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) to ensure that urgent measures are taken to stabilize the affected infrastructure before the situation worsens.
He underscored that the immediate priority is to secure the two vulnerable bridges, warning that their collapse would severely disrupt access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and trade, ultimately undermining the local economy.
Residents of Engutoto Village, particularly those from the Shuleni sub-village, voiced their distress, noting that the bridge has been the site of frequent accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. They expressed concern that repeated repairs have failed to provide a durable solution.
“Repairs are done from time to time, but the construction is not of lasting quality. People fall here, and some have lost their lives. Even my parent fell at this very spot and passed away,” said one resident emotionally.
They added that the bridge serves as a crucial link to schools, health facilities, and other social services, and its deterioration has caused significant disruption—especially during the rainy season when vehicles cannot pass and students are forced to miss classes.
These concerns were echoed by a Losikito resident, Boniface Samweli, who appealed directly to the Member of Parliament, describing the dire state of roads in the area as a serious threat to the safety of residents, particularly schoolchildren, patients, and pregnant women.
“Honourable Member, the road conditions are extremely poor. Movement has become very difficult, and even schoolchildren fear using these routes in the morning due to the dangers involved,” Samweli said.
He added that roads leading into Losikito, as well as the route connecting Likamba to Kisongo market, are severely degraded, hindering the transportation of goods and access to essential services.
According to Samweli, certain areas such as Rulutume have been particularly affected, where a distance of approximately two kilometres now requires a detour of up to eleven kilometres due to impassable road conditions.
“In emergency situations, especially involving pregnant women, it becomes nearly impossible to pass. Sometimes people are forced to take very long alternative routes, putting lives at serious risk,” he emphasized.
In light of these challenges, residents have called on the government to intervene urgently by constructing durable bridges and upgrading roads to standards that meet the needs of the growing population.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Lukumay urged village and ward leaders to compile accurate reports on infrastructure damage and submit them promptly. He assured residents that he would escalate the matter to higher authorities to ensure it is incorporated into budgetary plans for a long-term solution.
He also called for patience as emergency measures are implemented, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring that the people of Mwandeti Ward are not left to face these life-threatening challenges alone.
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