PHOTO: The dilapidated St. John River bridge
By Emmanuel Mafelah, mafelahemmanuel29@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- Residents of Kokoyah Statutory district in Bong County and Wee Statutory District, Grand Bassa County has every reasons to laugh, as Alpha Logging Company is expected to make Quick Impact interventions on the deteriorating condition of the St. John Bridge linking the two counties.
Due to the dilapidated condition of this bridge, several persons have lost their lives as well as properties destroyed over the years.
It was on Friday May 14, 2021, which is observed in Liberia as National Unification Day, which saw singing and dancing in Morris David Town (bordering town between Bong and Grand Bassa).
On hand was Bong County Senator Prince Kermue Moye Sr., who convened a meeting with local leaders of Kokoyah Statutory District (Bong) and Wee Statutory District (Grand Bassa) on possible ways and means to solve the current deteriorating condition of the St. John River Bridge.
The bridge which was constructed in the 1960s is a major trade route between Bong and Bassa Counties.
The St. John Bridge, which lies between the two Counties, is currently sinking. Inhabitants of Kokoyah along the St. John Bridge are now living in fear due to the very bad condition of the bridge.
According to reports from both counties, the damaged bridge has become a death trap for commuters’ traveling between Bong and Grand Bassa Counties.
Senator Moye and Mrs. Moye received welcoming in Morris David Town
But Senator Moye duing a meeting with locals in the area decried the appalling condition of this major bridge and the conditions the people face on a daily basis, despite the presence of major concessionaires and companies in the area.
The Senator disclosed to the residents of the two counties that his office has concluded negotiations with Alpha Logging Company to make quick impact interventions on the bridge and the road.
The company is expected to begin works on the road and the bridge in a week’s time.
The Bong County Senator then assured the citizens that his advocacy for the rehabilitation of the St. John River Bridge won’t stop with the companies but at the Liberian Legislature.
He believes that the Road Fund which includes contributions from all Liberians should start addressing some of these major infrastructure issues facing the country.
The Bong County Senator assured the people of Kokoyah that he will work with the Senators of Grand Bassa Countyin order to provide enough reasons to the Plenary of the Liberian Senate for the bridge to be refurbished with concrete for a longer and better solution.
Local authorities from Kokoyah and Wee Statutory Districts, youth and women leaders were in attendance.
Some of the residents who attended the meeting with Sen. Moye said “when it rains, school children around the area are not able to go to school, because the bridge gets wet and is unsafe for people to walk on it. Even drivers and commuters are not able to use the route in such a condition, so with this good news coming from you our son (Rep. Moye) to get the bridge recondition worth commending. With the current condition, we are really suffering, we hope that the work will start shortly in order to save us from this Long time sickness.”
“The bridge is deteriorating by the day; it is now a death trap. This St. John River Bridge is significant for us, because that is the only road that leads from this part of Bong County to Grand Bassa County. So we strongly believe that when this bridge is recondition or repair, it will help us greatly, especially for our marketers, drivers, motorcyclists, our children and amongst others,” some of the residents said.
Senator Moye was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Nancy Moye and some of his office staffs.