By Alpha Abu
Hundreds of people from Tonkolili and Port Loko districts joined locals in Moyamba district and other well-wishers last Friday to witness the landmark opening to the public the newly-built Mabang Bridge.
President Julius Maada Bio in commissioning the structure spoke about the immense value it will bring to the lives of the people especially in ensuring their agricultural produce reach readily available markets on time. He said his government was committed to improving the lives of the people.
He urged the locals to look after the solar lights and take proper care of the bridge as a whole.
National Authorising Office (NAO), Director Ambrose James in giving a background to the working relationship between his office and the European Union (EU) that funded the construction of the bridge said the EU has been a dependable development partner spanning a period of over 40 years.
He thanked President Julius Maada Bio for ensuring that the Ministry of Finance facilitated compensatory payments to all affected land owners as a result of the construction of the bridge.
EU representative Juan Frutess in his statement assured of their continued support for the development of Sierra Leone.
The brilliant piece of engineering which costs 11.7 Million Euros is strategically placed across the Ribbi River and close to the boundary between Koya Chiefdom in the Northern District of Port Loko and Ribbi Chiefdom in Moyamba District Southern Sierra Leone.
The original Mabang Bridge was built during British colonial rule specifically for the passing of locomotive trains at the time. It was not for vehicular use and it was only when rail transportation was finally phased out in the 1970s, that it got converted for road transportation.
But it became a perennial problem having to be repaired as the planks wore out under the pressure of traffic mostly by trucks transporting goods and people.
There were numerous instances when the bridge would go out of use, forcing vehicles to divert to the much longer Mile 91 route connecting the Western area where the capital is and the South and East of the country.
During this moment, people who prefer the much shorter distance over the Ribbi River will use the hand-pulled Ferry to cross. But in the event of a worse situation of the ferry not working at all, crossing by boat was the only available option.
At this time, trucks will be stationed on each side of the river to drop off or collect passengers and goods. Canoe men will be more than happy this time as it became a windfall for them sailing across back and forth.
Sometime in the 2000s, engineers in the Pakistani contingent of UN Peace Keeping Forces stationed in Sierra Leone offered help and fastened timber planks and steel bolts on the deck of the dilapidating Mabang Bridge so it could be reusable once more, welcoming assistance that saw vehicular traffic resume once again on the structure.
But Mabang Bridge eventually caved in and collapsed on the 22nd of February 2013 just as a vehicle was going across with the loss of life.
Scores of people have died over the years crossing the river, with a moment observed at the bridge’s commissioning in honour of their memories.
For the older generation of people in Koya and Ribbi chiefdoms in particular it was a remarkable and momentous occasion this time, having over the decades witnessed the distasteful and tragic trajectory of Mabang bridge. They told Politico that the hassling and discomfort that seemed to permanently surround the unpredictable state of the bride were finally over.
A teacher and farmer Saidu Sesay who said he was born and bred in Bradford, the headquarter town of Ribbi chiefdom explained to Politico how as part of a 33-member farmer cooperative with a palm oil plantation, was almost denied from striking a lucrative deal with Jolaks Manufacturing Company based in Wellington that produces cooking oil and related products, because of the impassable state of the route without a bridge.
Beaming this time with delight, he said they have just held discussions with Jolaks again who have now decided to buy their palm produce. When that happens, it would mean a better life for them and their families, he said.
A young woman Kadie Bangura who lives at Mabang and sells boiled eggs by the riverside said coming to Freetown to buy eggs was quite a challenge and believed transport fares will now be reduced because more vehicles will come that way, having the luxury of driving through a magnificent bridge. Life will surely never be the same again for people using that route.
Mabang Bridge is 231 metres long, second only to the Aberdeen bridge in Freetown.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (15/07/22)
