For more than 60 years, residents of Kwasunga Ward in Handeni District, Tanzania, have lived with a serious problem: a damaged and unsafe bridge across the Mligazi River. Despite repeated promises, the community is still waiting for a permanent solution.
The bridge, built decades ago, has never been fully repaired. During the rainy season, the situation becomes dangerous. Cracks appear on the bridge, water levels rise, and crossing the river turns into a life-threatening task. Villagers are often forced to wade through fast-moving water, risking injuries, drowning, and loss of property.
Children struggle to reach school, especially during heavy rains. Some are forced to miss classes for days or weeks. Pregnant women, the elderly, and sick people face even greater danger, as accessing health centres becomes almost impossible when the river floods. Farmers also suffer because they cannot transport crops to markets, leading to income losses and food insecurity.
Residents say they have reported the problem many times to local leaders, but little has changed. Temporary fixes are often washed away by floods, leaving the bridge in worse condition than before. Community members feel abandoned and say their lives have been put on hold because of poor infrastructure.
Local leaders acknowledge the problem and say plans for a new bridge have been discussed, but funding delays and budget priorities have slowed progress. Meanwhile, villagers continue to rely on unsafe crossings, hoping that authorities will finally act.
As Tanzania invests in roads, minerals, and digital services, the people of Kwasunga are asking a simple question: when will their decades-long wait for a safe bridge finally end?
