Residents of Murambi Sector in Gatsibo District have welcomed the ongoing repair of the Rwimitereri road, saying the work will make it easier to reach the local health centre and other essential services.
The road had developed several potholes that made transportation difficult, especially for pregnant women travelling to the health centre to give birth.
Road Connects Residents to Essential Services
The Rwimitereri road is an important route for residents because it connects them to several public and private services.
It provides access to sector offices, the health centre, SACCO, schools and Rwimitereri trading centre, making it an important part of daily life for people in the area
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Poor Road Condition Affected Pregnant Women
Before the repairs began, potholes along the road made travel difficult for expectant mothers being taken to the health centre by car or motorcycle.
Magret Mukamwiza said the condition of the road caused discomfort and sometimes delayed women in reaching the health facility. she said: “This is the road we use to get to the health facility. Its poor condition was particularly difficult for pregnant women; the vehicle would jolt and sway, increasing their pain and potentially leading to complications, such as exhaustion during labour. Furthermore, when a vehicle struggles to navigate potholes, it delays the mother’s arrival at the clinic,”
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Motorcycle Riders Also Faced Challenges
Motorcycle taxi riders said the poor road condition made it difficult to transport patients, particularly during the rainy season.
Adam Rwakibibi said they sometimes receive calls from residents who need urgent transport to the hospital, including women who go into labour at night. he said: “Apart from expectant mothers transported from the health centre by ambulance, we also ferry people from their homes such as women going into labour at night and we struggle to navigate the road, especially during the rainy season. You see, when a neighbour asks for help getting someone to the hospital, it aligns with the government’s policy of facility-based deliveries; however, the poor state of this road used to hinder us, potentially delaying a mother’s arrival,”
He added that the road condition also affected other patients who use motorcycles to reach the hospital and return home after receiving treatment.
Residents Expect Better Access to Services
Residents said the repairs will improve movement and make it easier for them to access healthcare, government services and businesses.
Muhire Straton welcomed the work, saying it would improve access to essential services and create better conditions for local economic activities. he said: “It is excellent that the authorities have initiated the project to upgrade this road. It will make it easier for us to access essential services, including healthcare, administrative support, and business opportunities,”
Modeste Twahirwa said better transport would also benefit traders who use the road to move goods. he said: “Transportation will become easier. This will facilitate traders, including those bringing vehicles to purchase bananas and other goods and could help prevent price spikes. We also pledge to maintain the road and avoid damaging it,”
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District Uses Local Solution While Awaiting Funding
Gatsibo District Mayor Richard Gasana said the road is currently being repaired by filling the potholes with compacted soil to make it easier for residents to use. he said: “We are repairing this road by filling the potholes with compacted soil. This is a home-grown solution where we collaborate with various partners and also rely on citizen participation through community work (Umuganda). We are doing our best to keep the road in good condition while awaiting the necessary funds to construct a more durable road than the current earth-fill method,”
The road being repaired stretches for 3.5 kilometres. Gatsibo road repairs are expected to improve access to healthcare and other essential services for residents who depend on the Rwimitereri road.
