By By: Contributing Writer
R2 COMMUNITY, Margibi County – What began as a celebrated infrastructure upgrade in 2023 is now drawing sharp criticism from residents of Holy City, R2 Community, who say the road construction along the Robertsfield Highway is falling short of its original plan.
Locals accuse the Ministry of Public Works and its contractor, Quality Group of Construction Companies (QGCC), of quietly altering the project’s design. The most visible change: a road that started wide at the entrance but narrows as it pushes further into the community.
Bloc A resident Tinna D. Barcley said the shifting footprint has left people confused and suspicious.
“It was very wide from the beginning, but now it is getting smaller,” Barcley said. “It looks like certain people are being compromised. We’re preparing to go to Public Works because we need answers.”
She added that structures once marked for demolition by the Ministry now appear to be bypassed as the road’s width is reduced.
Bloc D leader Samuel Reeves echoed the concern, questioning why initial demarcations no longer match the work on the ground.
“Public Works came and marked several structures, but now those markings are being ignored and the road is being reduced instead,” Reeves said. “What caused this change in design? That is the question we are asking.”
He noted that workers at the site have offered little explanation, leaving residents to seek clarity directly from the Ministry.
Community Chairman Daniel R. Dennis warned that a substandard road could create long-term hazards for the fast-growing area. The route is expected to serve as a major corridor connecting to Duport Road and Mount Barclay in the future.
“A narrow road can lead to accidents when vehicles struggle to pass each other,” Dennis said. “If it is not done well, it will affect everyone. If this is going to be a major corridor, it should not be anything below standard. Otherwise, the government will end up spending more money to fix it later.”
Residents also flagged the drainage system as inadequate, raising fears of flooding and erosion once the rainy season begins.
Attempts to get comment from the Ministry of Public Works have so far been unsuccessful. Communication Director Benjamin Myers did not respond to multiple calls and text messages before press time.
For many in Holy City, the Ministry’s silence is deepening concerns about accountability on a project funded by taxpayers.
A development once hailed as a lifeline for mobility and commerce is now being described by some residents as a broken promise. Community leaders say they are not looking for a fight, only transparency and adherence to specifications.
A delegation from Holy City is now planning to formally present its concerns to the Ministry in the coming days.
