Bong County- A major bridge connecting several towns and villages in Yelequelleh District, Bong County, is on the verge of collapse, posing a significant threat to the lives of citizens. Garyea Clan Chief Singbah Kollie, in an interview with our correspondent, described the bridge on the Gbartala-Fenutoli route as a “complete death trap.”
Constructed in the early 1960s, the “Yele Bridge” has not undergone any significant renovations since then, leading to its current dilapidated state. Chief Kollie emphasized the urgent need for reconstruction to ensure the safety of those who rely on the bridge for daily commuting. “This bridge is a complete death trap for my people here considering the time it got constructed. Everything you see is very old; in fact, it has expired,” he lamented.
Road Inaccessibility
Chief Kollie also highlighted the deplorable condition of the surrounding roads, which have become nearly impassable. Motorcyclists and drivers often overcharge due to the treacherous journey, adding to the residents’ woes. “If this rainy season continues, we will not use this road again. The road is beyond repair. It means we will be unable to buy anything for ourselves or sell our produce at the market. We really need help,” he said.
The poor road conditions have severe health implications, as Chief Kollie fears more lives could be lost due to the inability to transport sick patients to the Phebe Referral Hospital in Suakoko District. The eminent disconnection of the bridge has made it extremely difficult to move locally produced commodities to the market, exacerbating the economic plight of the district’s residents.
In a bid to make the road passable, Chief Kollie mentioned that residents occasionally place planks on the road to enable transportation of goods. However, he acknowledged that this temporary solution is unsafe. “Every time we put planks on the road just to enable us to commute on a daily basis. Although it’s unsafe, it’s the best we can do because it’s what we have,” he said.
Yellequelleh District Motorcyclist Union President James Dukuly expressed frustration over the perceived abandonment by local leaders. He called for immediate intervention from the government, warning of potential disaster if nothing is done. “Residents of the area are being abandoned by leaders. We will experience disaster in the near future if nothing is done by the national government to remedy the situation,” Dukuly stated.
He also issued a stern warning to politicians, indicating that the community would hold them accountable in the upcoming elections if their needs are not addressed. “If this bridge isn’t rehabilitated, we will use it against anyone who intends to canvass in this district in 2029 because they can’t keep excluding us and expect us to be happy,” Dukuly added.
The district is represented at the National Legislature by Mr. Eugene J.M. Kollie. His office has not yet commented on the situation. However, both Clan Chief Singbah Kollie and President James Dukuly have called on the government, specifically the Ministry of Public Works, to swiftly intervene and reconstruct the bridge. “Everything in this bridge is very old or expired,” they stressed.
The poor condition of the bridge and roads has also led to commuters being overcharged, as motorcyclists and drivers face increased risks. Additionally, local commodities are decaying because of the reluctance of transporters to cross the unsafe bridge frequently.
The dire state of the Yele Bridge and surrounding roads in Yelequelleh District, Bong County, requires immediate government intervention. The safety, health, and economic well-being of the residents depend on the reconstruction of this critical infrastructure.
Without swift action, the community faces a looming disaster, and the trust between the citizens and their leaders continues to erode.
By: J. Peter S. Dennis, Correspondent
