NEW WESLEY FOOTBRIDGE LINKS KIUNGA COMMUNITIES
BY KENNY ROMANUS, Western Province
RESIDENTS from Michael Kona, Kumbit Kona, Alice Kona, Mission Kona and nearby communities in Kiunga, North Fly District, now have a safer and more convenient pedestrian link between Wesley Hill and the Main Highway at Broken Hill.
The newly constructed footbridge, known as the Wesley Footbridge, was named after long-time Kiunga resident Wesley Monasi, who previously built a temporary crossing at the site.
The new structure is expected to improve access for students from St. Montfort Primary School and St. Gabriel’s Technical Secondary School, as well as other residents living in the surrounding communities.
The footbridge was officially opened today during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community members, government representatives and project stakeholders.
Max Maina, Executive Officer to the North Fly District Administrator, welcomed guests and said the footbridge would provide an important connection for residents, especially during periods of flooding.
He said the project would particularly benefit people living in Ward 1 and Ward 2 under Kiunga Urban LLG.
Caretaker District Administrator Roddy Unkin Snr acknowledged the Western Provincial Administration, led by Provincial Administrator Robert Alphonse Kaiyun, for providing funding for infrastructure projects in Kiunga Town.
He also recognised Budol Engineering Limited for successfully delivering the footbridge project.
President of Kiunga Rural and Chairman of Infrastructure under the Fly River Provincial Government, Gom Dewi, praised Budol Engineering Limited for completing the project.
“Money given for the projects must be spent accordingly. Thank you, Budol Engineering Limited, for proving to us that you can do well with awarded projects.”
Kiunga Town Mayor Alfred Simon said the completed footbridge demonstrated the importance of delivering projects as promised and building trust with communities.
“We are happy that Ward 1 and 2 communities under Kiunga Urban LLG will access this footbridge.”
Founder and Managing Director of Budol Engineering Limited, Joe Agare, said residents had needed a proper crossing at the location for many years.
He said the company responded when it was approached to construct the footbridge and moved quickly to undertake the work.
Mr Agare also outlined several other projects being carried out by Budol Engineering Limited in Kiunga Urban.
He said work is already underway on the Kwire Bridge, involving demolition and replacement with a multiplate structure, while projects such as the Kum Bridge and Kiunga Town pothole patching are expected to begin soon.
The new steel structure replaces a temporary bamboo footbridge that residents had relied on, particularly schoolchildren, to cross the area during rainy periods and flooding.
Mr Monasi, a long-time Kiunga resident from Eastern Highlands, recalled building a temporary bamboo crossing to help students during floods.
He said the makeshift bridge was meant to provide safe passage in the rainy season.
He has now thanked Budol Engineering Limited and the Fly River Provincial Government, led by Mr Kaiyun, for delivering a permanent solution.
The newly built Wesley Footbridge is expected to ensure safer pedestrian movement and improve access for residents and students travelling between Wesley Hill and Broken Hill.
