Kwaiafa bridge in East Malaita Constituency (EMC) has officially opened yesterday (Friday 19th August 2022) for public transport use after it was broken-down for over 20 years.
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) who is the Member of Parliament for EMC Manasseh Maelanga officiated the official opening. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development Dr. Samson Viulu also witnessed the official ceremony.
National government through MID funded the project with construction work done by the Aluta Bros & Sons Company.
Speaking at the official opening, DPM Maelanga said that East Malaita has gone through many challenges in terms of road infrastructure.
“East Malaita road is the highest road in the Solomon Islands because it runs through high mountains and valleys and that is why you will always see us struggle. The road always deteriorated because our province always experienced bad weather and heavy rain,” he said.
However, Hon. Maelanga said that as the Minister responsible for MID and a Member of Parliament for EMC he is happy to witness the opening of the new bridge.
He said the national government through his ministry will continue to render help towards road work within East Malaita to guarantee transportation services is accessible to support and improve our rural people livelihood.
“This road not only served East Malaita Constituency people but people from East Fataleka, East Kwaio and East Are’are also use this road.”
Hon. Maelanga then thanked Aluta Bros & Sons Company for the construction work and making sure the project is successfully completed.
He also thanked Landowners and resource owners for their support towards the contractor and for availing resources towards the bridge construction.
Community representative Jared Wisi also thanked government through MID for the funding support and also acknowledged Aluta Bros & Company for the construction work.
“This bridge has been broken for many years thus forcing vehicles to crossed the river to get to the other side. But during heavy flooding, vehicles are finding it hard to cross the flood which sometimes caused passenger to sleep overnight at Kwaiafa school until the flooded river is crossable. But now that the bridge is fixed, that problem is now over.”
Robert Havi a teacher at Kwaiafa Community High school also expressed his appreciation to the government, Landowners, community members and all parties that contributed towards the success of the project.
He said that the construction of the bridge demonstrates government’s continuous commitment towards rural development undertakings in the rural areas to support people’s livelihood.
Speaking on behalf of Eastern Region vehicle owners, is Thompson Atoa.
“For many years we spend long hours sitting here during bad weather and bad conditions of flooding. We have sleepless nights and spent a lot of money for extra cost at this bridge. But today these challenges are now over as we witness the successful completion and opening of this bridge.”
Mr. Atoa also recognized the government through Hon. Maelanga for the continuous support towards road infrastructure development in East Malaita. He also thanked EMC office for the patching work on worsened sections of the road to make sure transport owners continue to provide transport services to the people of East Malaita Region.
He then acknowledged all the stakeholders that put their hands and efforts together towards the construction of the bridge.
Contractor rep Ruddy Aniala thanked MID for the trust and confidence they have placed in them to carry out the construction of the bridge.
Mr. Aniala said they have faced many challenges during the course of the construction but they were able to get over them and successfully completed the bridge project.
Kwaiafa bridge is one of the many bridges that Aluta Bros and Sons company will build along East Malaita road this year under the contract it had with MID.
Source: MRD PRESS
Featured Photo: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for MID Hon. Manasseh Maelanga and Martin Aniala cuts the ribbon to officially open the new bridge flanked by contractor rep Ruddy Aniala on the left and MRD Permanent Secretary Dr. Samson Viulu. Photo: MRD PRESS
