Ellen in Sinoe: Dedicates Sanquin Bridge

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has dedicated the reconstructed Sanquin Bridge in Sinoe County at the start of an official visit there.

An Executive Mansion dispatch from Greenville Wednesday, April 25, 2013 said the Liberian Government and United States Agency for International Development or USAID reconstructed the “critical infrastructure” into a two-lane concrete bridge.

The Sanquin Bridge, situated in Sanquin District, connects Sinoe County with the rest of the southeastern counties of Liberia. It was previously built with logs and dirt, but was washed away as the result of a heavy downpour of rain and overflowing of the Sanquin River in December 2009.

Speaking on behalf of Sinoe citizens before the dedication of the bridge, the release said, Superintendent J. Milton Teahjay welcomed the President and delegation to the county to experience the dividends of her hard work.

“This is a joyous welcome for all of us to see the partnership you have been fostering to produce the kinds of results, especially the bridge. We are happy to welcome you to the county,” said Teahjay.

Also making remarks, the United States Ambassador to Liberia, Deborah Malac thanked Sinoe Citizens for the warm welcome, saying “We are pleased that the U.S. Government, through the USAID, was able to work with the Government of Liberia to build this bridge.”

She further told the gathering that bridges help open up corridors for trade and development, promising that her government would continue to stand by Liberia and its people to help achieve Vision-2030 for a more prosperous Liberia.

Public Works Minister Samuel Kofi Woods expressed heartfelt gratitude to USAID for the partnership in the reconstruction of the bridge and informed Liberians that the dedication of the bridge marked an important move by the government to southeastern Liberia.

Minister Woods said: “This is the beginning of a serious movement in the southeastern part of Liberia,” stressing that government was ready to embark on the construction of roads and bridges in this area of the country.

Summing up, President Sirleaf thanked all of those who had worked to make the bridge project a success, specifically the Sinoe County leadership and its Legislative Caucus, USAID, and Ministry of Public Works.

Following the program at the bridge, the President and her delegation attended an Intercessory Service at the Church of Pentecost for their save arrival to the county’s capital, Greenville.

On the second day of the county tour of Sinoe today, President Sirleaf and delegation are expected to inspect the Judiciary Square – the new judicial hub nearing completion in Greenville, as well as inspect ongoing rehabilitation works at the Port of Greenville and the proposed campus of the Sinoe University College in Panama, outside Greenville.

The Liberian leader will later travel to the Golden Veroleum-Liberia sites at Numonpo plantations and Butaw, for discussions with the management and staff. At the Butaw Administration Building, President Sirleaf will hold a town hall meeting with citizens of the district.