Residents of Metika in the Jomoro district of the Western Region can now heave a sigh of relief, following the construction of the only footbridge that links the community to the capital, Half Assini.
The foot bridge, which was considered as a death trap had been a bother to the residents, as the Municipal assembly failed to respond to their calls to reconstruct it. But thanks to the benevolence of the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Docas Afo Toffey, the bridge has now been modernised to enable vehicles to even use it.
The Chronicle can report that following the construction of the footbridge, vehicles for the first time in the history of the fishing community have been able to use the bridge.
The bridge serves as a link to other towns such as Jawu, Anume, Tuope, Half-Assini and Tikobo, among others.
The residents say that before the construction of the bridge, fishermen and their customers had to park their vehicles at a distance and walk across the old dilapidated bridge. They are, therefore, happy that the bridge has now been renovated.
Former President John Mahama and MP Affo Tofey commissioned the footbridge.
Speaking at the ceremony, Madam Affo-Toffey said the construction of the bridge was a promise she made to the people of Metika, when she was campaigning to become the Legislator for the constituency.
Having become the Legislator, she decided to redeem her pledge by renovating the bridge. She said that even though ‘she is an orphan MP’, since her government is not in power, she thought it wise to begin the project in piecemeal.
She called on the residents to ensure proper maintenance by notifying her, in case of any defect on the bridge, to expand its life span.
Former President John Mahama praised the MP for undertaking such a project for the benefits of her constituents.
He said: “such projects are to be done by the central government, so if an MP has been able to do such a project, she deserves another chance to represent the people of Jomoro in Parliament”.
