His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has turned the sod for the construction of the Mattru Jong-Senehun bridge, which links locals in Jong with neighbouring chiefdoms in the Bonthe district.
Once completed, the bridge, replacing a 64-year-old ferry-crossing point, will be 50-kilometre east and 80-kilometre west, located 52 miles southwest of Bo district. It will also link business and trade in that part of the country, providing access to more agricultural produce to reach the market in time with less cost and reduced travel time.
President Bio, while addressing the over 20,000 beneficiaries in Jong Chiefdom, recalled how, as a young youth growing up, he had used the said crossing point, which his parents and those before them had been using.
“I am happy to be here today with you to write the history of what is about to happen to our district and our country in particular. Our colonial masters failed to construct this bridge that was meant to connect our people, thereby creating more room for dividing the same communities. We are here today as a government and as a district, because we knew what it meant to have a bridge that will not only link us as a people but also facilitate trade and reduce travelling time and cost, hence addressing issues of sea accidents.
“I made a pledge to my people that our district used to be a neglected and forgotten district among the rest of the other districts in the country. So, my actions and aspirations for this country have been to transform it into an enviable country. Consequently, I am calling on the contractor to ensure the completion of the bridge in 15 months and to also ensure to put their best effort and work within the design specification to be beyond reproach,” President Bio urged.
Paramount Chief for Jong Chiefdom, PC Abu Badara Sheriff III, recalled how as far back as 1958, as a young man, they had been using the crossing point, adding that farmers in that part of the country had found it difficult to transport their produce and minimise the huge wastes they incurred.
“Our district has produced many prominent people, but His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio is the only person who has shown how much he loves this country and his people in the district. I want to use this opportunity, on behalf of my subjects in the chiefdom and the entire district, to extend our thanks and appreciation to you and your government for the laudable development in our district,” the Paramount Chief stated.
