KOTA KINABALU: For years, children and villagers in Sabah’s northern rural Pitas have been depending on a small sampan and an old bridge to go to school and town.

       They have to cross the large Bengkoka river either by boat or risk their lives tiptoeing across the bridge to go to SK Dandun as well as a government clinic at Kg Dandun.

       It is learnt that the condition of the bridge has worsened following a recent flood.

       Broken bridge at the Bengkoka River.

       One of the village chiefs there, Eddword Upak of Kg Bilangau Besar said they have told the authorities about their plight but no action has been taken so far.

       “We must think of the safety of all the pupils and villagers who use this route almost every day,” he said.

       He said at least 58 pupils from five villages - Kg Bilangau Besar, Kg Sapatalang, Kg Salungkapit, Kg Mandurian Laut and Kg Kobon, have to cross the river every school day.

       He said that the bridge, now broken, is not safe to be used anymore and many are depending on the small boat, which they have to pay a fee for, to cross the river.

       He said hopes the government will give some priority to this issue and help villagers rebuild the bridge which connects over 30 villages to the town, clinic, schools and other facilities.

       Efforts are underway to contact the relevant authorities on this matter.