Former Speaker of Parliament and Uyole MP Dr Tulia Ackson has donated construction materials to residents of Itezi Mashariki in Mbeya City to support the construction of a bridge aimed at easing movement in an area frequently affected by flooding.
The donation, comprising cement, gravel, reinforcement bars and sand, will help residents complete the crossing they began constructing using their own contributions after repeated flooding disrupted movement and affected access to essential services.
The initiative comes as residents seek to address a long-standing problem that becomes particularly serious during the rainy season, when rising water levels make it difficult for people to cross the area. Schoolchildren have also been affected, with some unable to attend classes because of unsafe crossing conditions.
Speaking during the handover of the materials on October 30, 2026, Dr Tulia’s representative, Stephen Chambanenge, said the MP decided to support the project after receiving information about the residents’ efforts from the street chairperson.
He said the community’s decision to mobilise resources and begin construction demonstrated its commitment to finding solutions to challenges affecting their daily lives.
“Residents had already taken the initiative to protect themselves against the challenges posed by El Niño. You could have waited for the Government to come, but you chose to act first and demonstrate your own commitment. Other stakeholders, including the MP’s office, have now joined you in supporting the effort,” Mr Chambanenge said.
He expressed hope that the Government would also respond to the community’s needs, particularly as residents prepare for the anticipated heavy rains.
Itezi Mashariki Street Chairperson Lameck Daudi said the area was particularly vulnerable to flooding because it receives large volumes of water flowing from the Uyole Basin.
He said the flooding had created persistent difficulties for residents, making the construction of safe crossings an urgent priority.
Mr Daudi said the community had identified several locations requiring intervention, including the Nsalaga River and an area beneath the railway line.
“We are currently constructing a small bridge to allow water to pass. Further east, we have the larger Nsalaga River, where we also plan to build bigger bridges. Construction has already started, and what remains is completing the covering of the structure,” he said.
He added that residents also intended to construct another crossing beneath the railway line but were continuing to mobilise funds for the project.
Nsalaga Ward Councillor Clemence Mwandemba said the ward’s geographical location in a low-lying area exposed it to flooding as water from surrounding locations drains into the community.
He said the situation was compounded by water channelled through large culverts constructed as part of the four-lane road project, increasing the volume of water reaching the ward.
Mr Mwandemba said additional support from the MP’s office and other stakeholders was needed to address the problem, noting that residents had already been contributing towards the construction of bridges in different locations.
He said the interventions were necessary to ensure schoolchildren and other residents could move safely, even during periods of heavy rainfall.
A resident, Yohana Msafiri, said the lack of safe crossing points had exposed people, particularly children going to school and elderly residents, to considerable difficulties.
He said some residents had sustained injuries while attempting to cross the flooded sections.
Mr Msafiri said the MP’s donation had renewed residents’ hopes of addressing the problem, especially as the community prepares for the rainy season.