The deteriorating bridge over the Siaya River is significantly hindering trade and travel between Liberia and Guinea. Residents are calling for government assistance to reconstruct the bridge, which is essential for commerce and daily life. The current situation forces citizens to incur additional costs and face safety risks while crossing. An appeal has been made for collaboration between the governments to address the problem.
The trade and travel between Liberia and Guinea are significantly hindered due to deteriorating infrastructure. Residents of Gbaowuta Town in Bong County and Dianenia Town in Guinea are facing challenges in accessing their shared border over the Siaya River, as the state of the existing bridge is poor and poses various risks to both pedestrians and drivers, especially during inclement weather.
With the current bridge’s condition severely impacting transportation, many individuals are appealing to both governments for assistance in constructing a more reliable crossing. The bridge serves as a vital route for Liberians traveling into Guinea, and its deterioration is disrupting commerce and travel.
Residents have expressed that the road connecting Gbaowuta to Guinea’s Dianenia is the most convenient route for accessing goods necessary for their daily livelihoods. “Many people use this route to buy goods from Guinea and Liberia, which are vital for their daily lives and businesses,” stated a local resident.
The flooding of the Siaya River during the rainy season complicates the transportation of goods, prompting citizens to look for alternative, often costlier, methods of crossing. The unsafe condition of the bridge has forced many to use motorcycles, which adds further challenges as they must sometimes carry their loads over the river.
As citizens seek ways to overcome these transportation obstacles, they face increased costs attributed to relying on motorcycle services, creating additional financial strain. Furthermore, the precarious state of the bridge has led to numerous accidents, raising serious safety concerns among users of this route.
Both Liberian and Guinean citizens are united in their belief that addressing this longstanding infrastructure challenge will enhance their daily lives and foster a stronger bilateral relationship. Mark Sulonteh, the Country Representative of the Irene Christina Reinking Foundation, voiced this sentiment: “We are calling on the Governments of both Liberia and Guinea to kindly see a reason to jointly collaborate to see to it that this bridge be constructed, to address our long-standing suffering.”
The Irene Christina Reinking Foundation advocates for improvements, highlighting the dire need for assistance from both the local and international communities to support this project. The increasing calls for government intervention spur hope for a solution that would greatly benefit citizens from both nations, bolstering trade and connectivity.
In summary, the deteriorating state of the bridge linking Liberia and Guinea has created significant challenges for residents relying on it for trade and travel. Citizens are appealing to their governments for immediate action to construct a safer and sturdier bridge that would facilitate commerce and enhance inter-country relations. The collective efforts of organizations like the Irene Christina Reinking Foundation underscore the urgency of resolving this issue to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by these infrastructure deficits.
Original Source: www.liberianobserver.com
