Provincial secretary Cominis Ikioa said all of the 28 bridges built under the Solomon Islands Rural Improvement Programme (SIRIP) were affected by Cyclone Freda.
“The most affected bridges are Waihaoru, Hao and Aupare.
“But through community work we have been able to clear all debris and fix the damage parts of the river crossings,” Mr Ikioa said.
He said the remaining bridges received minor damages.
“Community initiatives and the support of the Pakera family in Kaonasugu and the Middle Island Logging Company have assisted with their machines and equipment to enable the flow of traffic again.
“And despite damages to the banks of the bridges, communities have worked together to fill them up with rocks to connect roads to and from Kirakira,” Mr Ikioa said.
He added people can now travel to Kirakira from Arosi having to make three stopovers and board separate vehicles that have collaborated to assist people travel to and from Kirakira.
Meanwhile, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development Moses Virivolomo said his team has assessed the damages to the bridges and maintenance of the bridges had already started.
He said there were no damages to the bridges except to their ends, because the floods have dug out the river banks.
“These are damages expected during such situation and the ministry will be working together with the Makira provincial government to fix the river crossings,” Mr Virivolomo said.
By Daniel Namosuia
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