Government has ordered temporary closure of the Lofa River Bridge between Gbarpolu and Grand Cape Mount Counties from vehicular traffic.

The Lofa River Bridge connects Gbarpolu and Grand Cape Mount Counties in Western Liberia.

The decision was announced on Thursday, February 27, 2014 when Internal Affairs Minister paid an emergency visitto the area along with Public Works, minister Dr. Antoinette Weeks.

Minister Dukuly said the halt of vehicle movement on the bridge will remain enforced until a decision is made by the government of Liberia.

The visit was triggered by reports that a groupof women of both counties residingin the Lofa River Bridge Community had set up road-blocks preventing vehicles from crossing the bridge, expressing anger for its deteriorating condition.

The aggrieved women told the visiting team that their protest action was intended to draw the prompt attention of central government, because according to them, the bridge was becoming risky for them and their school-going children who cross the bridge on a daily basis.

The Chairlady of the community and leader of the protesting women, Madam Massa Gorla said pillars holding the bridge were cracking, while planks on the surface are broken up and destroyed.

Minister Dukuly described the bridge as a ‘death trap’, while Minister Weeks terms it as ‘poor’.

The Public Works Minister and a team of engineers were seen carrying out assessment on the bridge, which according to her was the beginning of prompt action to be taken.

Signed:

D. Emmanuel Wheinyue

Media Consultant