Margibi County – Representative Tibelrosa S. Tarponweh of Margibi County District #1 has assured his constituents about the reconstruction of the collapsed Du River Bridge.
He said the project, which will be jointly funded by Firestone Liberia Rubber Company and the Liberian Government, will commence soon.
The steel bridge links Harbel to I5 Gate in Margibi County. It collapsed in 2017 while a truck carrying crushed rocks for the Roberts International Airport runway construction project was crossing over it.
The Harbel – 15 Gate route is the primary access to Firestone Medical Center at Du-Side and the Bondiway Magisterial Court. It is also the quickest route from Harbel to Kakata, the county’s capital.
Movements along that route have been impeded since the collapse of the bridge.
Several students of the University of Liberia residing in Harbel use the route. But they now have to use canoes and motorbikes to access the road, something they say is costly and risky.
However, speaking at an event in the District recently, Rep. Tarponweh revealed that the Government of Liberia and the Management of Firestone have finalized discussions for the reconstruction of the bridge.
“Within the next few weeks, your suffering will be over. The reconstruction of the Du-River collapsed bridge will start in the next two to three weeks. We already have the contractors,” he assured.
Rep. Tarponweh has been instrumental in negotiating with relevant government officials and the management of Firestone to rebuild the bridge as the situation continues to have adverse impact on commuters.
Recently, the Margibi County lawmaker donated several items including 20 life jackets and relief items to residents of the constituency who were affected by floods.
Meanwhile, Representative Tarponweh, in an effort to provide clean water to his constituents, has formed a partnership with Life Water international for the construction of 30 hand pumps.
In most part of the district, residents have been fetching water from streams, creeks and swamps for drinking and other use.
Six new hand pumps have been completed. At the dedicatory ceremony, Rep. Tarponweh thanked Life Water International for being supportive to the project and challenged the beneficiaries to utilize the facilities wisely.
The Margibi County District #1 Lawmaker committed to constructing additional hand pumps.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Life Water International, Rev. Steven Varfee cautioned the communities to ensure the pumps are properly maintained.
He disclosed that after the operation of the pumps for one year, a small fee will be collected monthly to buttress the maintenance costs.
Residents of Brown and Kpanyan Towns thanked the lawmaker and Life Water for the initiative and pledged to properly manage the pumps.
“We thank Hon. Tarponweh for giving us life through water. We will uphold the maintenance of the pumps. For the bridge issue, you have been the lead campaigner for the reconstruction of the bridge. Thanks also for your fight which is leading to a fruitful result,” Charles Pewole, the Town Chief of Brown Town said.