The bridge over St. John River in Bong County has damaged, thus remaining hanging as a ‘death trap.’
Due to that situation, Bong County District #1 Lawmaker, Prince K. Koinah, on Thursday, June 26, marking the 13th day sitting of the House of Representatives (HoR) communicated with the plenary to invite the Ministry of Public Works, and the Director General of the Bureau of Concessions to explain why the bridge has not been repaired.
The bridge connects Bong and Grand Bassa counties is no longer accessible to commuters.
Koinah’s concern followed the recent death of a motorcyclist at the damaged bridge.
“The bridge I am discussing, connects Bong County Electoral District #1, which I represent, and Grand Bassa County Electoral District #4, represented by my colleague, Alfred H. Flomo. It runs along the supporting route of the railroad used by ArcelorMittal to Grand Bassa County.
“The bridge as of Thursday, June 26, it is yet to be reconditioned posing a serious threat to the lives of my citizens,” Rep. Koinah lamented.
He said, the populations in both the districts and people from various parts of the country depend also on the bridge to commute.
Koinah said, in spite of the poor condition of the bridge, he remained confident that his colleagues will see reason that the bridge is vital for commerce and other activities for residents in the two districts.
“The bridge is in dreadful shape, and therefore, I want to say this in open before
this august body that it is no longer advisable for our people to use the bridge; given it current state; the safety of those crossing it cannot be assured, because lives have lost there in recent times while attempting to cross over the bridge.” Rep Koinah said.
He meanwhile, appealed to the plenary of the 55th Legislature to invite the Minister of Public Works, and the Director of the Bureau of Concessions, to come and explain why the bridge has not been attended to ever since; thereby risking the safety of the population residing in that part of the country.