As many as 600 villagers in the district of Toga, Rewa, are celebrating the commissioning of a $4million bridge that now gives them quicker and safer access to the outside world.
One of the biggest beneficiaries were school children who missed school during adverse weather because the river was too dangerous to cross.
Speaking at a ceremony at Muana Village yesterday, Public Works and Transport Minster Ro Filipe Tuisawau, said nearby communities in Toga would also benefit from the bridge.
“Before they used to have an Irish crossing and for several years there were restrictions in terms of their movements especially the school children,” he said.
Ro Filipe said Government would continue to bring similar relief in terms of easing transportation to other communities in the coming months.
“Moving forward, we are planning to look at other crossings in similar types of structures which is about 20 per cent the cost of the normal concrete bridge. The matanivanua of Toga (herald for the vanua of Toga) Laitia Beka said they were overjoyed with the bridge opening.
“In Toga, the one problem we face all the time is flooding — when this river is flooded none of the school children go to school,” Mr Beka said.
“A bridge was something that we were longing for a very long time, and we are so happy with the opening.
“We thank the ministry and Government for their huge contribution as this will surely help us and our families in the future.”
