'Sofa Niama Bridge is a Deathtrap' Commuters Fear the Worse

The Independent (Banjul)
NEWS
January 10, 2003
Posted to the web January 10, 2003

By Yahyo Bajo
Banjul

Residents and commuters of Niamina west and its surroundings have sent
strong appeals to the government to repair without delay the aging and
dilapidating Sofaniama bridge, linking the divisional boundaries of the
Lower and Central River Divisions. They warned that the bridge would remain
a deathtrap as long as it is not repaired.

Speaking to The Independent Kebba Drammeh who uses the bridge to travel to
and from his native village of Kuntaur Jakaba described it as dangerous and
very unsafe for commuters who use it daily.

Mr. Drammeh who recently returned from a trip to Basse told this reporter
that on his way he saw children filling the potholes with small debris in
the middle of the bridge. He said the government should act immediately
with a view to protecting or saving the lives and property of the
people. "Nothing is more valuable than life and people's lives must be
protected at all cost," he posited.

A businessman residing in Brikama-Ba who spoke on condition of anonymity
also expressed grave fear over the dilapidating state of the bridge. He
said he was always in great fear whenever he saw trucks laden with goods
crossing over the bridge, fear always grips him. He made a specific appeal
to the Department of State for Works, Communication and Infrastructural
Development to intervene appropriately to avert catastrophe.

Other commuters and residents of Sofaniama also expressed concern over the
condition of the bridge, which if not addressed could result in disaster in
the event of an accident. They said those who commute on a daily basis are
particularly vulnerable to the dangers posed by the dilapidating state of
the bridge, which has not been repaired for a long time.

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