For more than six months of crossing the river by boat, villagers of Bua Lomanikoro and nearby settlers will soon use their newly constructed wooden bridge.

It is a project by the villagers and settlers who worked hand-in-hand to replace the bridge that was destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Yasa.

The bridge connects more than 500 people to the mainland.

It took them months to secure assistance for rebuilding of the bridge.

The project brought about a spirit of unity within the Bua Province.

Bua Lomanikoro headman, Ratu Viliame Tagivetaua said they started the work on the bridge last Friday.

“Residents from three villages (Bua, Dalomo and Tiliva) brought wood from the forest and our fellow Indo Fijians from Tausa and Luvuluvu Settlements provided nails, tools and carpentry expertise,” Ratu Viliame said.

“Two shopkeepers and Raviravi Sawmill Company also provided timber for flooring and other materials.

“This temporary bridge has brought great relief to our people.”

In the absence of the bridge people had to hire fibre boats and those who couldn’t afford to pay had to swim across the river to reach the mainland.

The bridge was also destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016.

Edited by Selita Rabuku

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