PEOPLE living near Taba’a Bridge along the North Road in Malaita Province were asked to stay away from Taba’a Bridge for safety purposes.
The call came after children were seen playing and bathing under the collapsed bridge with little regard to the load above.
According to locals spoken to over the weekend, children, and youths use the pool of water beneath the bridge bathing.
The informer said women also use the pool for laundry and bathing purposes with little regard for the threat the collapsed bridge pose to the lives.
Taba’a Bridge has been deteriorating for some years before flash floods finally brought it down in March forcing the northern end of the bridge to the ground making it impossible for vehicles to use.
Since the collapse of the bridge, vehicles servicing North Road are forced to cross the river to get to the other side.
On rainy days vehicles will have to wait for the flood to recede before crossing the river which takes patience and often to the frustration of North Road travelers.
It is the wish of vehicle owners and the general travelling public to see the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID) step in to fix the bridge.
Taba’a Bridge is not the only bridge along the North Road that needs urgent repair; there are other bridges that also need to be repaired.
By WILSON SAENI
In Auki
