According to Wilson Saeni writing in today’s Solomon Star newspaper, the damaged Dala Bridge in West Kwara’ae will be fixed soon, says the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.
This was possible after the Malaita Provincial Secretary (PS), Fredrick Fa’abasua discussed with the Ministry last week.
It was reported that the Dala Bridge continues to cause problems to the traveling passengers using the North and East Road of Malaita Province.
Dala Bridge, damaged by flooding due to heavy rain had not been fixed for a month prevented vehicles that provide transport services along the North Road from reaching Auki town.
Vehicles to and from the east were forced to use a logging road instead. But it was a very dangerous road to travel on.
Due to the damaged Dala Bridge, traveling passengers continue to be affected as they are forced to transfer to other vehicles along the road and have had to pay extra transport fares.
Knowing the time taken to fix the damaged Dala Bridge had dragged on for some time, Mr. Fa’abasua held talks with the MID last week.
The intention of the meeting was to request the ministry to fix the damaged bridge.
As a result of fruitful discussion, a local contractor based in Auki, Martin Wale, was engaged to repair the bridge.
There were strong sentiments shared on social media that the MPG should just repair the bridge.
Meantime, in separate news, A concerned chief in Malaita has called on responsible authorities to fix the east road as soon as possible.
The road is badly damaged by the bad weather that is currently hitting the Solomon Islands.
Chief John Tori of Fouba village said Aluta, Koiabu, and Koare roads are the areas that are badly damaged at the moment.
“At these three areas where the east road passes through, passengers and truck crews will need to lend a hand to push the vehicle uphill.
During the heavy rains, water will just flow into the road digging up soil which then turns out muddy.”
Chief John also called on East Fataleka and East Kwaio people to also support any plans to maintain the road because they too are the beneficiaries.
According to the Chief, “Transport owners are planning to stop servicing the east road if the road is not fixed.
