A severe downpour on Thursday night led to the destruction of a crucial bridge in Ibba County, Western Equatoria State. This incident has severed the transportation link between Yambio and Ibba, raising concerns among the local business community about the impact on their trade.
Following four days of relentless heavy rain, River Ibba breached its banks, causing significant damage to the bridge. People who regularly rely on this route for trade expressed their concerns about the bridge’s collapse and its potential repercussions on their businesses. They emphasized the need for swift government intervention.
Fraser Ruben, a trader in Yambio, told Radio Tamazuj that the bridge’s breakdown would substantially affect Yambio’s traders who depend on this road to transport goods from Juba. He stated, “This is the only road where we transport goods from Juba to Yambio. So, this is the only road we have here.”
Suzan Christopher, a businesswoman in Yambio, warned that without prompt rehabilitation of the bridge, local businesses in Yambio could suffer greatly, as air transportation for importing goods is prohibitively expensive. She urged the Western Equatoria state government to expedite the bridge’s repair.
Another businessman, identified only as Moses, voiced his concerns about the consequences of the Ibba bridge collapse and appealed to the Western Equatoria government. He stated, “We urge the Western Equatoria government to assist us promptly because a prolonged delay in bridge repairs could lead to severe shortages of essential commodities such as salt and soap, significantly impacting the community.”
Rhoda Daniel, a businesswoman in Ibba County, explained that she frequently travels across the bridge to Madebe and Yambio to purchase goods. She appealed for swift government action to address the issue. She emphasized the potential dire consequences of a prolonged disruption, stating, “Some of us traders here in Ibba travel to Yambio to buy goods, but with the breakdown of the bridge, it will affect us. The government should act quickly to save us, as prolonged delays could lead to severe food shortages.”
Isaac Mursal Timon, the State Information Minister in Western Equatoria, confirmed the bridge’s destruction and announced that the state government would dispatch a team to assess the extent of the damage. He stated, “The government is now trying to send two journalists tomorrow morning, along with the acting Minister of Road and Bridges, to go and find out what has broken down.”