Villagers of Lalomauga are living dangerously using a footbridge that could give any day and on top of that they are using a water source that is not healthy.

The footbridge was made by the New Zealand Navy in the early 2000s and now is in a deplorable state.

The previous mayor of Lalomauga village, Malofaiolefaiva Peniata Lama, stated that although he was not the mayor at the time, he was present when the footbridge was constructed and his wife served as the principal of Lalomauga Primary School.

"Years have passed since the bridge first appeared in our village. It was a gift from the New Zealand navy, who spent three months camping here in 2004 and saw the effects of the river when it flooded the village. As a result, they decided to construct a footbridge so that our village could cross to the opposite side" he said.

"The crew named it Vili Willie Bridge. The name was written on a board on the bridge, but I'm not sure who destroyed it. The board also included the year and month the bridge was built.

"The man who built the bridge was named Willie, and the bridge was named after our pastor during those years, Vili.

"Our village men repair the bridge every year by replacing the boards on the road so that people can walk on it. However, we are powerless to repair the cables because they are unstable and dirty, making it extremely dangerous for us to walk on, especially the elderly.

A villager, Aumaga Tauvaiele, said they attempted to get assistance from the government, but nothing materialised.

"They assisted us in building the river walls that prevent damage to people's homes in the event of a flood," he said. 

"Since our water supply comes from a tunnel that the Australians dug down to create the power supply and later discovered water inside, there is a severe shortage of water here. Additionally, we had to collect water from the river and boil it before using it for cooking because the river's water was not particularly pure.

"Our people also benefit greatly from the river, particularly when the tunnel water runs out or becomes slow and we need to use it for showering and laundry. 

"When it rains a lot, the water flows strong and contains trash, making it extremely unhealthy for our people. However, when the sun is shining brightly, the water is lacking and polluted and no one can drink it.

 "We have been attempting to persuade our lawmakers to examine our predicament and take action, but nothing has been happening.

"Other projects in our village have already been completed, but we are attempting to get the government to assist us with the footbridge and the village water. We are also awaiting the one million that was allocated to each district so that we can fix the footbridge and provide clean water for the village. 

According to Sipiliano Leafi, the son of the village mayor, the footbridge in their community is extremely dangerous for them to use. 

"One significant reason for the need for the footbridge is that, once the river bursts, no one can ever cross to the other side. 

"The New Zealand navy crew built the footbridge, and after they finished it, they never returned. The villagers were grateful to them for the gift of the bridge, which made it simple for people to cross to the other side."