Village councillor heaps praise on Esso

A VILLAGE councillor has commended Esso Highlands Ltd for assisting local communities through its community development programme (CDP).
Lealea councillor Konio Morea said his community was grateful for the company’s help to build a new footbridge after the previous one had collapsed almost a year ago.
During the opening of the Lealea footbridge a week ago, Morea said: “It is with great pleasure and honour that I stand before you today to commend Esso Highlands Ltd for its community support by providing funding for the material and tools to rebuild the bridge.”
He also praised the Lealea villagers who dedicated their time and effort to completing the work.
“It is also a great privilege and honour to commend my team of humble men who tirelessly and with dedication took on the task.
“This is working and assisting the community in the best way possible.”
The original footbridge was built by volunteers from the village in the early 1980s using bush material.
“Since then, we had three footbridges built at different times,” Morea said.
“As one collapsed, village people were ready to rebuild that fallen bridge as this was our only gateway to the city.”
The company came to the aid of Lealea villa­gers after the semi-permanent footbridge was destroyed by king tides early this year.
Treated timber for the bridge was purchased from local suppliers and piles were installed through rocks for additional stability.