Africa 24 newsman
The bridge connecting two major and historical communities in old Waterloo – Ibo Town and Songo is forgetfully in a wobbly state of breaking into ruins.
The Songo bridge road which finds itself lying on costal mangroves in old Waterloo has seen repeated neglects by government of Sierra Leone and council authorities in the Western Area Rural district.
There are some loose-held weakly boards and termite-eaten flat boards used as a makeshift bridge.
Some men were mining out sand close by the very lowered to a water-level makeshift bridge.
When asked what have their authorities including chairmen and councils done to save up the bridge, they told Africa 24 journalist that only ‘empty promises’ have been repeatedly made to the community people.
The Songo-Ibo town bridge had its trace from the first Krio sellers in Ibo tong and Songo tong (pronounced in Creole dialect).
An old Krio woman who is running fast to her 80s recalled the community used to have the British colonists building them homes, churches, schools.
But the bridge was never built since only few inhabitants were living in both communities.
“We have had the rural people cutting down the big trees exposing us to danger ; we the Creoles are very few here now. Since colonial days, that bridge had been important to our lives and our children. But now as you can see, nothing is there to show for as a trace,” says the old woman who was called Aunty George, from afar.
The old bridge is very weak and there is a dumpsite around which evaporates uncontrollable stench affecting passers-by.
A miner says it is needed to be repaired to make it busier again.
Africa24 could not get from the side of the Western Area Rural District Council to possibly reveal what their plans are in connection to the bridge construction.
“These are empty boards and lanky sticks; no pavement. It is disturbing our movement here,” the sand miner spoke while pointing at the bridge which is rippled with light boards with wide openings which could enable one to see through the waters beneath.