By: Problyn J Alpha
An alleged neglected and overlooked bridge linking Kholifa Mabang chiefdom in the Northern region of Tonkolili district to major towns across the country is making life very difficult for people living in the aforesaid chiefdom. The current status of the bridge according to reports has deterred the development of the community for many years and has made life very difficult for people in the said community. Some residents of Magbokie village where the bridge is located when talking to A-Z noted that life has been very difficult with them because of the deplorable condition of the bridge in question and therefore blamed the politicians in the chiefdom and the country who have made so much unfulfilled promises for the people of Magbokie village Magbang chiefdom. The authorities at Magbokie village have informed the politicians many times on the current status of the bridge but the situation according to them seems to be neglected and ignored by both the past and current governments . Pa Alimamy Fornah is the town chief of Magbokie when talking to A-Z on behalf of the community, he expressed dissatisfaction over the unfulfilled promises made by some politicians during campaign periods and the present status of the bridge noting both the past and present political figures have made so many promises to change the bridge but they could not work to fulfill their promises and the people are now fed-up with the unfulfilled promises.
“Majority of the Kohlifa Magbang chiefdom people depend on subsistence agriculture to make ends meet, and cannot afford to construct a bridge of such nature thus it is the responsibility of the government to do it,” chief Fornah noted.
Adama Kargbo is one of the residents of Magbokie village she told A-Z that the prices of commodities and transportation fare especially during the rains have rapidly increased because of the poor status of the bridge. One of the appalling situations according to her is the occurrences of accidents that have claimed the lives of members of the community especially commercial motorbike riders. “It would be necessary for authorities to look into the Magbokie bridge since it links the entire chiefdom to mile 91and other major towns across the country,” she pleaded.
When talking to A-Z some of the youths at Magbokie village maintained that most of the politicians who go to the community to campaign during elections do promise to construct the bridge in order to get the attention and support of the people but have left the bridge unattended.