Relief for Shinyanga residents as flood-prone Gagi Bridge nears completion

SHINYAGA: RESIDENTS  of Ndembezi Ward and neighboring areas can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the new Gagi concrete bridge nears completion, ending years of dangerous and unreliable travel across flood-prone Gagi Road.

The 11.2-meter-long, 8.2-meter-wide bridge, built under the World Bank-funded Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC), connects Ndembezi and Ngokolo wards, a vital link for thousands of locals.

Speaking during a site inspection, Ndembezi Ward Councillor and Deputy Mayor, Upendo Sawa, described the bridge as a “lifeline” for the community, especially during the rainy season when the old ferry system was often swept away.

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“Before this bridge, mothers risked giving birth by the river, students struggled to get to school, and residents often paid to be ferried across. It was a daily ordeal,” Sawa said.

Engineer Samson Pamphili, Manager at the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), said the bridge was prioritized after repeated flooding made the area impassable. Funded with  105.5m/-  from CERC, the project aims to safeguard communities and improve access for all.

Construction began on December 29, 2025, and has already reached 93 percent completion, with the bridge expected to open by March 28, 2026 — months ahead of schedule.

Local resident Emmanuel Exavery Hanya called the bridge a “game-changer” that will protect children, expectant mothers, and daily commuters from the hazards that have plagued the community for decades.

“This bridge doesn’t just improve transport — it saves lives and restores dignity to our daily lives,” Hanya said, echoing the relief felt across Botengwa and Ndembezi.

This project marks a major victory for residents, signaling the government’s commitment to turning flood-prone transport nightmares into safe, reliable routes that empower communities.