The Mamina Bridge, currently under construction by the Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project is close to completion. Upon completion, the bridge is expected to link Mamina B Irrigation Scheme to the main road, enabling the 140 farmer to transport their produce to the markets.
Work on the brdge started in July 2025 but the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) which is carrying out the construction was forced to temporarily suspend works due to the rains which resulted in the flooding of the bridge.
One of the farmers, Mrs Sarah Munemo commented that, “The bridge started in July 2025 but RIDA was forced to stop work on the bridge as the river was flooded. We are seeing a lot of progress taking place. They collect stones from the mountains in the area. The stones are very strong and for that reason, we expect that this will result in the construction of a strong bridge that will benefit generations to cross this river to go to schools, access services at the shopping centre. On our part as farmers, we expect this bridge to enable customers to come and buy produce from our irrigation scheme. Before this intervention, we knew that our children would spend up to three weeks at a time, missing school as they were unable to cross the flooded Ngezi River.
We were also unable to access the shopping centre to buy food or have our grain ground. Life has been difficult for us. With the coming in of SACP, we now have hope that all these challenges will become a thing of the past”
The construction of the bridge has also provided employment to the locals. Mrs Munemo said, “Different types of people are employed in this project. Both men, women and the youths are employed here. We have women also employed here. These stones that you see here are rolled down those mountains by some of the women employed here. As women we are grateful for this opportunity where women have been given an opportunity to do work that was previously being done by men only. Even the youth have not been left behind. They are also employed here.”
Life before the bridge construction has seen the loss of life as villagers ad their children attempt to cross the flooded Ngezi River during the rainy season. Mrs Munemo said, “During this past rainy season, we had an unfortunate incident where one of our children, who was in the Early Childhood class was swept away by the river after attempting to cross the river from school. In 1997, I personally experienced the pain of having to walk more than 10 kilometres to the next bridge when I was in labour. I was afraid that I would lose the baby.”
SACP has adopted the Green Roads for Water initiative in constricting both the bridge and the 1.5 km first mile feeder road which will link the irrigation scheme. An additional 6 km will be rehabilitated to the Mamina Business Centre where there is a market.
