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RANAU: Hundreds of villagers here breathe a sigh of relief when a long awaited suspension bridge reconstruction was finally completed.

Officiating the reopening was Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Abidin Madingkir, which ended the months-long plight of the people here following the damage of the previous bridge due to natural disaster.

“I would like to express a million thanks to the State Government, especially Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Hj Noor for listening to the people’s cries and complaints.

“Now that the construction of the suspension bridge across the Liwagu River to Kg. Lungkidau and the surrounding villages is over, everyone can resume their daily activities as normal,” he said.

Abidin, who is also Paginatan Assemblyman, said that with completion of the suspension bridge, it at least solves the problems of Kg Lungkidau and the surrounding villages while waiting for the construction of the concrete bridge.

“The update status of the concrete bridge is that it has now entered the final phase of beginning of construction. So expect construction to begin soon,” he said.

Hundreds of residents from seven villages, namely Paginatan, Lungkidau, Toporo, Bunakon, Torikon, Soborong and part of Kigiwit used the suspension bridge to cross the Liwagu River.

The suspension bridge is the main route for residents to Pekan Ranau, Paginatan Health Clinic and for students to go to school, as well as a route to transport agricultural produce after the concrete bridge collapsed several years ago.

Before completion of the suspension bridge, residents in Kg Lungkidau continued to face the challenge of crossing the Liwagu River whenever its level rises during heavy rain.

Meanwhile, family members of a sick and elderly patient thanked Abidin for the completion of the bridge, as they were able to quickly rush their beloved elderly to the nearby Clinic.

The situation would have been more difficult for the family concerned if construction work hadn’t been expedited, as they would be forced to cross the river using a small boat instead.