Plans for the construction of the Saliadrau bridge are gaining traction with bids now being accepted. This development is seen as a significant relief for the villagers in Saliadrau, Namosi, who for over 20 years have endured difficult terrains and river crossing to access schools and main roads.
Laisenia Tui, the public administrator for Namosi Provincial Council, confirmed to reporters that the bridge project is set to start in due course. “A tender for the crossing to Saliadrau Village was put up on the open market,” Tui disclosed, “Companies will inspect the site next week prior to submitting their tenders.”
The project, estimated at $5 million, will be funded by the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, a detail confirmed by its steady hand, Permanent Secretary Isoa Talemaibua. The bridge is anticipated to be complete by the coming fiscal year.
While the construction continues, the provisioning of boats to assist Waivaka villagers in crossing the river is being arranged. “Efforts are also in place to engage engineers and surveyors to perform scoping work. Following this, a company will be contracted for the bridge construction,” Tui explained.
The Japanese Government had previously contributed over $200,000 to aid the bridge construction at Saliadrau, as per past media accounts. The Waivaka bridge, which was inaugurated in 2015, had a total cost of about $320,000.