Locals in villages nearest to the Banap Bridge which collapsed early this month say a bypass and or a temporary bridge will not address their cry for an enduring and more permanent link into Madang town.
This comes after initiatives were taken by a former parliamentarian and team to build a bypass that will enable travellers especially from Bogia to access it through Matugar to Wasab village and to Banap -this will then link to the National Highway.
Chairman of Saky association in Matagur, Michole Barui told this news room that the bypass will only delay the government’s response in building and or repairing the Banap Bridge.
At the moment he said the travelling public from Bogia, Sumkar, Karkar and even East Sepik are finding it a costly, as well as difficult exercise in trying to have access to the other side of the Banap River.
He said at least over 200 travellers from Angoram and nearby villages and communities are camping at Saky association resource centre and a committee has been unofficially established to deal with the public in terms of logistics.
Meantime the Madang Works manager, Andrew Kendaura, said it is necessary for the bypass to be erected to ease access for the public; he noted that there are already machineries posted for work to begin on an existing bailey bridge.
He said they are waiting on supply from Lae that should arrive anytime this week; The Banap bridge would take at least a year to renovate, while the existing Bailey bridge could be erected in less than four months.
Member for Madang Bryan Kramer said that it is unfortunate for the people to experience such a disaster that is avoidable if proper approach in renovations and other necessities were adhered to.
Kramer added that the collapse of the bridge not only affected the people in Bogia, Karkar or nearby places it also greatly affects Madang town and its residence especially business houses”.