Deteriorating Bridge Disrupts Trade and Travel Between Liberia and Guinea
Infrastructure challenges due to a dilapidated bridge over the Siaya River are impeding trade and travel between Liberia and Guinea. Residents from Gbaowuta Town in Bong County and Dianenia Town in Guinea are calling on their governments to collaborate on constructing a new bridge to facilitate trade and improve safety. The situation has led to increased financial burdens and risk of accidents for those relying on this route.
The deteriorating state of the bridge over the Siaya River between Liberia and Guinea is significantly obstructing trade and travel for citizens of Gbaowuta Town in Bong County and the nearby Dianenia Town in Guinea. Residents have reported considerable challenges due to the bridge’s condition, particularly impacting the transportation of goods and posing safety hazards for pedestrians and vehicles. Citizens are urgently appealing to both governments for assistance in constructing a new, safer bridge to facilitate smoother movement across the border.
As a vital transportation route for many Liberians heading to Guinea, the bridge has seen increased difficulty in its use, particularly during the rainy season when flooding occurs. Local residents highlight that this route is essential for procuring goods necessary for their livelihoods and businesses. One resident noted, “Many people use this route to buy goods from Guinea and Liberia, which are vital for their daily lives and businesses.”
The flooding of the Siaya River further exacerbates transportation issues, making the crossing nearly impossible during adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, citizens express their dissatisfaction with the inability of vehicles to safely traverse the route, resulting in a reliance on motorcycles. As one resident explained, upon reaching the river, individuals often must carry their goods and motorcycles on their heads to cross safely during the dry season.
Due to transportation difficulties, citizens face increased costs for motorcycle rides to cross the border, imposing a heavy financial burden on them. Additionally, the poor condition of the bridge has coincided with a rise in accidents, heightening the risks for all who attempt to use this route. Citizens on both sides advocate for timely intervention, believing that resolving this issue will not only enhance their daily lives but also fortify relations between Liberia and Guinea.
Mark Sulonteh, Country Representative of the Irene Christina Reinking Foundation (ICRF) in Liberia, expressed solidarity with citizen sentiments. “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,” he stated. The foundation, dedicated to supporting various socio-economic initiatives in Liberia, echoes the community’s calls for urgent action regarding the bridge project.
With a growing consensus among citizens for immediate government intervention, there is hope for a collaborative solution that will benefit both Liberia and Guinea while enhancing the quality of life for their inhabitants. The bridge reconstruction promise could foster better trade relations and improve accessibility for communities straddling the border.
The severely compromised bridge between Liberia and Guinea is negatively affecting trade and safety for local residents. Citizens are pleading for government intervention to construct a new bridge, emphasizing that such an improvement would enhance their quality of life and strengthen bilateral relations. Advocacy from organizations like the Irene Christina Reinking Foundation underlines widespread community support for urgent action on this infrastructural issue.
Original Source: www.liberianobserver.com
