By: Ben TC Brooks
Residents of Rivergee have expressed increasing fears and worries over what they termed as abandoned and or damaged Tienpo Nyonken bridge within the County.
According to them, since the government conducted an initial assessment, there has been no further progress made.
Sarah Johnson, a prominent businesswoman, expressed her concerns, saying, “We need the government to take action regarding the bridge rehabilitation or reconstruction because the situation has worsened.”
She added, “It’s now dangerous even for motorbikes to traverse the small part that still seems stable, and with the rainy season approaching, our lives are at risk and we urgently need the government to prioritize the construction of the bridge., she re-emphasized.
It can be recalled in late November 2024, the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) assessed the condition of a log bridge over the River Nur in Tienpo, located in River Gee County, in order to find a solution for its damage.
Rev. J. Henry Baysah, who led the assessment team from the Public Works Ministry was also flanked by Rivergee County Milk T. Swengbe including other local leaders.
During the assessment tour, Rev. Baysah through the government assured the local residents of a plan leading to the construction of a Bailey bridge to be made of iron bridge to prevent future collapses but nothing has been done up to press time.
The assessment was prompted by numerous local media reports highlighting the daily struggles residents face due to the damaged bridge.
The River Nur bridge serves as a crucial connection between three counties in the Southeast: Grand Kru, Sinoe, and River Gee.
The bridge, built in 2017 under the direction of District Representative Alexander Poure from River Gee County, experienced a collapse in September 2024 following intense rainfall.
This incident caused significant traffic disruptions on the road that connects many heavily populated gold mining areas of Tienpo statutory district in River Gee County.
