*Collapse of the bridge over the Futshumu River: A tragedy with dramatic consequences for Sankuru*
The province of Sankuru is currently shaken by an event of unprecedented gravity: the collapse of the bridge over the Futshumu River, causing the interruption of traffic between the territory of Lodja and the sector of Bena-Dibele. The inhabitants of the region now find themselves cut off from this vital axis, undermining the local economy and the mobility of people.
According to the head of the Lukfungu sector, in the territory of Kole, this collapse is due to the non-compliance with load limits by drivers of large vehicles, combined with the dilapidated state of the structure. A single overloaded truck would have been enough to cause the collapse of this structure, which is essential for the movement of goods and people.
The situation is so critical that the inhabitants find themselves destitute, with no means of crossing the river other than a pirogue. This alternative, although costly for users, has become the only option to ensure a certain continuity of trade between the different localities affected by this disaster.
Faced with this major challenge for the region, calls are increasing to the central government for rapid and necessary intervention to rehabilitate the Futshumu bridge. Indeed, the Lodja-Dibele road is the only national road connecting several territories and its interruption has direct repercussions on the local economy, jeopardizing the financial stability of the region’s inhabitants.
It is now time for the authorities to take the measure of this incident and act promptly to restore traffic on this essential axis, thus guaranteeing the development and prosperity of the populations of Sankuru. In a context where the connectivity of territories is a crucial issue to promote trade and socio-economic development, the repair of this structure is proving to be an absolute priority to ensure the continuity of activities in the region.
Ultimately, the collapse of the bridge over the Futshumu River in Sankuru should not be seen as a fatality, but as a call to action and solidarity with a community impacted by this tragedy. It is time to act and restore hope to a population that currently finds itself isolated, waiting for a concrete solution to overcome this unexpected crisis.