Mbokona and Buburu communities in Central Honiara can now use one of their old serving bridges after it was upgraded recently.
Honiara City Councils (HCC) through the Works Division funded the bridge improvement project.
Councillor for Mbokona and Mbumburu ward, Eddie Ngava who was instrumental in the move to upgrade the wooden bridge on Monday handed over the bridge to community representatives. The ceremony was witnessed by Mbokona community members.
Upgrading work cost several thousands of dollars.
Speaking during the brief ceremony at the bridge site, Mr Ngava who is currently the Acting Lord Mayor said, the bridge was old and nearly killed people who usually crosses it in vehicle.
“This bridge was very old and few times vehicles crossing this bridge nearly overturned because the bridge did not have proper runway and timbers to hold the bridge together.
“So when I saw it and since its inside my ward, I approached the HCC works division to immediately repair it before some body gets killed,” Mr Ngava said.
He said, past successive councillors failed to recognise the problem associated with the bridge.
“We have approached the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID) several times but they fail to respond so I approached the HCC works division to upgrade this bridge to connect people from Mbokona and Mbumburu area.”
Norman Vavaha a community rep from Mbokona who also witnessed the brief ceremony thanked their ward councillor for his effort in ensuring the bridge was upgraded.
“Past councillors have failed to consider upgrading this bridge though we inform them about the status of this bridge a number of times.
“We are very concern about this bridge because its unsafe for vehicle movement since the bridge condition is old, but early this year when we approach our councillor we are surprise to see our request being considered.
“On behalf of our community here, we would like to thank HCC works division and Mr Ngava for his effort to upgrade on this bridge,’’ Mr Vavaha said.
By DENVER NEWTER
