By Charles Gbayor, charlesmenlor@gmail.com
PLEEBO, MARYLAND, Liberia- An important bridge in Pleebo Sodoken District in Liberia’s southeastern Maryland County has collapsed, and local authorities are making an urgent appeal for its reconstruction.
Sodoken District is the electoral district that House Speaker, Dr. Bhofal Chambers represents and the bridge links Pleebo City to others parts.
Local authorities are urgently appealing for the reconstruction of the bridge, which was constructed by Maryland Oil Palm Plantation and Cavalla Rubber Cooperation during the regime of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to ease the movement of inhabitants in this part of the country.
The bridge collapsed on Sunday, September 7 at around 5:00am GMT, after a heavy downpour of rain in Pleebo Sodoken District. It connects the road to the Cavalla Rubber Company (CRC) the Concession Company in the zone eight Community.
The condition of the bridge even before its eventual collapse is said to have given some warning signs, as there had been numerous outcriesd on the local community radio station, informing local authorities in the County, the Concession Companies (CRC/MOPP) and Speaker Chambers himself on its poor state.
But the cries of the locals were not addressed, until finally the bridge gave way recently.
According to residents, the bridge had been in a deplorable condition for over a long period of time, but there have been no proper redress and now it is no more.
Since the collapse of the bridge, local authorities of the county, specifically the mayor of Pleebo City haven’t rested in making SOS appeals for help, in order to give citizens free access.
Meanwhile, the President of the Tubman University in Harper, Dr.Elliot Wreh Wilson has donated one hundred thousand Liberian Dollars towards the repair of the damaged bridge, while Maryland County Senator H. Dan Morrias has promised to give 25 bags of Cement. Former Harper District Representative and Secretary General of the Coalition for Democratic Change, James P. Biney has also donated 50 begs of Cements and others citizens of the have made their initials contribution toward the process to the Pleebo City Cooperation for the bridge reconstruction. The donations were made during a recent mass citizens meeting at the Pleebo City Hall.
The meeting was attended by Maryland County Superintendent George A. Prowd, the City Mayor of Pleebo City, Wellington Kyen, the Public region Office of the Cavalla Rubber Cooperation and Maryland Oil Palm Plantation Mr. Martina Nyenken, the DHO of the China Railway Company Mr. Patrick Shan, the Labor Commissioner, Mr. Kojo Wilson among others.
According to Pleebo City Mayor, Wellington Kyne, since the bridge collapsed, his City Cooperation has held several meetings with prominent citizens and companies operating in the district.
Mayor Kyne said that the companies have made commitment to contribute to the project.
At the same the time, an official of China Railway Company, Mr. Patrick Shan has said his company is preparing to work with the local authorities in the county to reconstruct the bridge.
He said as part of their initials contribution, China Railway will make available one truck load of rocks and manpower.
Also speaking at the mass citizens meeting,on behalf of the two Concession Companies, the PRO of CRC/MOPP, Mr. Martin Nyanken said the damaged bridge in question was constructed by the Company as a quick impact project to ease the movement of Citizens and their Employees, expressing regret for its collapse.
He said, the companies were committed to working with the City Cooperation.
For his part, Superintendent George A. Prowd has promised to work together with the Mayor and citizens in making sure that the Brigde is constructed as soon as possible.
He however called on the citizens to join hands with the county authority, in order to contribute to the the bridge reconstruction process.