After several years of delay, the Buea Council has finally begun rebuilding a bridge in the city which only allows one vehicle to cross at a time. The 3-meter-wide Moki’s Garage bridge, located along Sand Pit Road at Great Soppo, is being rebuilt at an estimated cost of FCFA 69 million.
This bridge expansion initiative, designed to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance transportation efficiency, will be carried out over a six-month period by a local enterprise based in Buea.
The project is estimated to cost 69 million CFA and is funded by the Road Fund of the Ministry of Public Works.
The bridge at Moki’s Garage, constructed many years ago, has become inadequate due to the significant population growth in the area.
David Mafany Namange, the Mayor of Buea, emphasized the urgent need for this project: “That bridge has been causing a lot of problems. Two vehicles couldn’t pass at the same time, leading to traffic congestion and jams around there.”
Ngivie Nkoulou, head of the technical service of the Buea Council, provided further details on CRTV radio. “The present bridge is about 3 meters by 12. The first step is to demolish the existing bridge because its walls have depreciated over time due to erosion and vibrations, indicating a risk of eventual collapse.”
The planned expansion is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and safety for both vehicles and pedestrians.
Nkoulou added, “We have control engineers who will ensure that the quality of work meets our expectations.”
During the construction period, an alternative route through the wrestling field at Great Soppo to the OIC School will be utilized to minimize disruption.
The contractor is required to adhere to all terms of reference and maintain strict safety measures throughout the project.
The bridge was expected to be built several months back. However, the Mayor said the company that won the contract suddenly refused to execute the project, but the Council could not immediately withdraw the contract due to statutory procedures on public contracts.
While Moki’s Garage is being constructed, several other roads in Buea warrant reconstruction, among them a portion around the GCE Board’s headquarters, which floods whenever there is rainfall.
Moreover, the National Road No. 8, which links Buea to Kumba, Mutengene, Douala, and Limbe is in a dire state.
