School puts up K20,000 for bridge

 A HIGH school in Western Highlands has forked out K20,000 to have a proper bridge built over the Kagul River.

It will allow more than 20,000 people, in particular students, to cross the river safely. 

The bridge has not been fixed for more than 15 years.

About 900 students, 22 staff members and workers risk their lives crossing the fast-flowing Kagul River daily.

The Tambul High School agreed to pay K20,000 to have the bridge fixed at Telma. 

Western Highlands secondary and high school superintendent Martin Marr was there last Thursday to witness the first vehicle travel over the bridge.

The tribes that depend on this bridge are Lgalga, Munzuka, Keparka, Engwalg, Europa, Kereka Kaipa, Lgaima Ape and Murpang Gakua.

Headmaster James Pini said whatever the school spent would help the students and the community as well.

“I cannot just sit here and watch the students making wet crossing everyday and that is why the school has to come in to prevent possible loss of  lives,” Pini said. 

“Some students are good at swimming while others are not and it is very dangerous to let them risk their lives. That also applies to the community.”

The school is located in lower Kagul, Tambul-Nebliyer electorate. It has engaged John Was to fix the bridge so that it can be used.

The bridge was built in 1963 by two German missionaries identified as Br Hammie and Br Kuntha. 

Also located on the other side of the river are the National Agricultural Research Institute and the Alkena health centre.

Kagul is one of the biggest rivers in the province.

The school can no longer see its students risking their lives so it decided to do something about it.