Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba (in green) inspects Sigiri bridge, June 13, 2017. [Photo: Ababu Namwamba]Below is Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba's statement, days before the Sh1.2 billion Sigiri bridge collapsed, June 26, 2017.
He issued the statement, June 13, 2017.
"ICONIC SIGIRI BRIDGE - A BIG DREAM COMING TO LIFE.
Tomorrow Budalangi marks yet another milestone as the Sigiri Bridge construction enters it's last stage of construction with President Uhuru inspecting it's final stages.Its been a long journey dating back to 2009 when the first ever design of the Sigiri bridge was prepared,More progress would follow in 2013 with the project being re-proritised and lobbied into the budgetary plans of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA).The most memorable step that gave impetus to this transformational project was in 2014 when I hosted President Uhuru Kenyatta in Budalangi setting stage for the essential foundation necessary the project: the tendering stage which was advertised in December 2014, and the contract awarded to COVEC.In preparations for the President's visit tomorrow, I personally inspected progress work and received briefs on development of SIGIRI bridge from COVEC lead Eng. Jerome. The engineers say the bridge is as good as done with 85% of the works complete.Once officially opened for use in July, Sigiri bridge will open up trade,lower transport cost and time from Bunyala North to South,travelling will be much safer with the risk of boat accidents eliminated.Sigiri is strategically positioning to be the direct link between Busia and the outside world with plans for an Air Strip in Bunyala South.#SmartImpact#BudalangiRisen#SigiriSavingLives"