Locals appeal to restore fallen bridge

PEOPLE from 21 wards in North Waghi, Jiwaka, are cut off from accessing basic services after the Nodugul Bridge collapsed under the weight of a heavy truck last Wednesday.
Community leader Robert Palu, from Domil village, said people in the Nodogul local level government area were struggling and needed immediate help to have the bridge repaired.
He said with election nominations to open tomorrow, intending candidates and supporters would face difficulties in moving around.
He also said during the general election period, having better roads and bridges was crucial for the Electoral Commission team and police to move around to conduct safe elections.
Palu said the heavy truck belonged to Giru Construction Company that was contracted to upgrade the road from Dona Junction to Nodogul where the district headquarters is.
“We are not sure of the cause of the collapse, some say it was designed to bear only a certain amount of weight while others say it was due to structural failure,” he said.
“We have elementary to secondary schools, technical vocational education training centres, health facilities, police station and small to medium enterprise businesses and we need the bridge to be repaired as soon as possible.”
Attempts to get comments from Giru Construction Ltd was unsuccessful.