For nearly two decades, residents of Nananu Village and Naseyani Village in Ra have grappled with the dangers associated with crossing a treacherous river, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. The situation has been dire, with three tragic fatalities reported as individuals attempted to navigate the river’s swift currents, including a heartbreaking incident where a man lost his life while trying to save a family vehicle.
However, the completion of the new $3 million Naseyani Bridge, after nearly seven years of construction, has brought a renewed sense of hope and safety to the community. Vasiti Ritova, the Women’s Representative from Nananu, expressed her gratitude for the bridge, emphasizing its significance in resolving longstanding issues, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and expectant mothers.
“Children from Naseyani often couldn’t cross to attend school, and during heavy rain, we would rush them across before flooding made it impossible,” Ms. Ritova shared. “We’ve had fatalities in the river while trying to cross, and we are extremely grateful for this bridge.”
The infrastructure is set to transform the day-to-day lives of villagers in both Nananu and neighboring mountainous areas. Ms. Ritova noted, “For us in Nananu, we used to walk for 20 minutes because we couldn’t cross the river to get to work. This bridge is a huge relief.”
Prior to the bridge being built, bus services had been suspended for over 15 years due to the unsafe Irish Crossing. “Bus companies have assured us that once the bridge is operational, services will resume,” added Ms. Ritova.
Public Works Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau, in attendance at the bridge’s commissioning, underscored the bridge’s importance as a significant development for the Vatukaloko region and its surrounding communities. He highlighted the bridge’s potential to enhance agricultural productivity by connecting villagers to markets, as well as improving access to essential services such as education and healthcare.
“The river is wide and deep, prone to flooding, and has claimed lives over the years. The completion of this bridge will alleviate these risks and make a profound difference for the community,” Minister Tuisawau stated.
This bridge not only signifies a physical connection between communities but also symbolizes hope and progress, promising improved safety and a brighter future for the villagers of Nananu and Naseyani.
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