July 21, 2021
By Ilyasa Baa
The Mabang bridge which links Port Loko and Moyamba districts will be completed in February 2022 according to experts.
The first phase of the speed beam was launched past Friday as over 70% of the construction is complete.
The Director of the National Authorizing Office, Ambrose James said the construction costs nine million Euros adding that 75% of the cost has been utilized. He said as the office between the Government of Sierra Leone and European Union (EU) they are fulfilled and pleased with the project so far.
He noted that their aim is to facilitate the movement of goods and services thereby cutting down on the time consumed by people. He pointed out that the project is in line with the President’s ambitious capital development programme.
The Director of Planning and Policy Research,Siera Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), Vandy French, said they are satisfied with the quality of the work.
The Deputy Resident Engineer of CSC, Alimu Dambana expressed his satisfaction over the support they have been receiving noting that about one third remains for them to hand over the 163 metres bridge for use.
It could be recalled that the bridge which served as boundary between Ribbi and Koya chiefdoms collapsed in 2013.
The manual ferry crossing people and goods has not been consistent leaving people with the only alternative to use canoe in the less than fifteen minutes ride across the river. Over the years, goods and people have perished as a result of the collapse of the colonial bridge.
With less than 20% remaining, residents of Ribbi chiefdom have praised government for the good work while expressing that the one hundred years guaranty new bridge will help boost trade for local people.