Collapse of Enga bridge severs link

By GIBSON TORASO
UPNG Journalism
student
THE collapse of a bridge seven weeks ago is affecting transport and service delivery in Enga’s Kompiam-Ambum district.
It may force the closure of the Kompiam Baptist Health Centre which is running low on medical supplies to close, says acting director of nursing service Charles Yadupa.
The Punap bridge collapsed during heavy flooding and has affected the lives of more than 50,000 people in the area.
The people have been calling on their local MP John Pundari and the Enga provincial government to replace the bridge.
Yadupa said they were running out of medical supplies at the health centre making it difficult to serve patients.
“We are planning to close the health centre and operate only the emergency ward as the health centre cannot serve patients if the flow of supplies is affected,” he said.
He said normal services were being affected and the situation was getting worse.
The problem is also affecting the supply of building materials to complete the ward redevelopment exercise.
Yadupa said the bridge was an important transport link for the people.
Kauna Uu, a teacher at Kompiam High School, said students and teachers would be affected when classes resumed.
“I am gravely concerned about the students’ education because most teachers cannot come back to school because of the collapsed bridge,” he said.
In addition, he said food ration at the school would be a problem.
“Those responsible must find some alternative ways to fix the bridge quickly for transportation of supplies for schools and health centers in the area,” Uu said.
A resident near the Punap Bridge, Jerry Angoma, said he had not seen any government official come to inspect the bridge since it was damaged.
It is affecting people on the other side of the river who cannot access services and road links.