Long-awaited bridge repair brings relief to Naqarawai villagers

The prayers of the villagers of Naqarawai in Namosi have been answered after the commencement of the repair of their bridge.

Villager from Naqarawai, Nasoni Lutunaliwa says the elderly and children in the village were finding difficulties in trying to cross the river to catch the carrier for quite some time.

Lutunaliwa says elderly people are hardly going to town because of the bridge being closed and it is difficult for them to cross the river and climb the cliff.

He says to get across, one will have to board the raft and pull the ropes tied to the raft as it glides across the water.

More than 200 people live in Naqarawai Village, and more than 30 school children attend Naqarawai SDA Primary.

They need to use the bridge daily.

Minister for Housing, Maciu Nalumisa was at the site for inspection before the work started with a few engineers from the Ministry of Infrastructure and the villagers to repair the bridge.

Villagers also acknowledged the help from the Minister for Housing in reaching out to the Ambassador of the Republic of China to Fiji, who presented a cheque of more than $50,000 to the villagers of Naqarawai for the maintenance of the bridge.

The work is expected to be completed in two weeks.