By By: The People News Online
CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – Bong County Senator Prince K. Moye has intensified pressure on the Ministry of Public Works, urging Minister Roland Lafayette Giddings to reconsider the government’s earlier decision that halted the proposed 38-meter Jor River Bridge project in Gbarnga—an initiative pushed by the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC).
The Ministry had previously declined approval for the project, citing procedural gaps, including the lack of complete technical documentation and concerns about community-driven construction models. That initial decision sparked strong reactions from citizens’ groups, with the CMC publicly criticizing Public Works for what they described as “unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles” blocking a project that directly addresses one of Gbarnga’s most persistent mobility challenges.
In several statements and community engagements, the CMC argued that the bridge—intended to connect key communities and ease transportation constraints—was a practical grassroots solution the Ministry should have welcomed rather than denied. They insisted that all preliminary assessments done by their engineers met the basic safety standards and that Public Works’ refusal showed “insensitivity to the daily struggles of Bong County residents.”
Against this backdrop, Senator Moye’s November 17, 2025 letter appears aimed at reopening dialogue between the Ministry and the citizens’ group. He urged Minister Giddings to collaborate with the CMC to satisfy all outstanding technical, legal, and administrative requirements, noting that a timely reconsideration would serve “the benefit of the people of Bong County.”
Moye also used the opportunity to highlight broader infrastructure deficiencies across the county. He stressed the urgent need to either construct, reconstruct, or repair multiple bridges long neglected, identifying three priority crossings:
- Gbaquay Vuo River Bridge (District #3): connecting Gbarnga to Van-ykan, Funetolee, and Buterseu communities.
- Yelle River Bridge (District #5): linking Gbartala to Taylor-Ta, Funetolee, and eventually Compound #2 in Grand Bassa County.
- Lower Jor River Bridge (District #3): connecting Gbarnga to David-Ta and District #5.
The senator emphasized that Bong County has always subscribed to policies promoting development and social cohesion, and that denying community-backed initiatives undermines both goals.
The letter was copied to the Office of the President, the Speaker of the House, the Senate Pro-Tempore, the Bong County Legislative Caucus, and other stakeholders. It was officially received by the Ministry on November 18, 2025.
As tensions continue between the Ministry and citizen groups, the coming days will determine whether Public Works softens its stance on what has become one of Bong County’s most discussed grassroots infrastructure demands.
