Africa-Press – Liberia. The Ministry of Public Works has ordered an immediate halt to the construction of a bridge in Gbarnga, Bong County, a project valued at five hundred thousand United States dollars and solely funded by Rep. Musa Hassan Bility, Political Leader of the Citizens Movement for Change.
The Ministry says the project, which was launched without its knowledge or technical approval, is in violation of national infrastructure laws. The groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge was conducted jointly by Representative Marvin Cole of Bong County District 3 and Mr. Bility.
The bridge was intended to connect several densely populated communities in Gbarnga, including Civil Compound, Brooklyn Community, Gboveh Hill, and Jorkpenmue.
In a formal communication dated October 6, 2025, addressed to Representative Cole and signed by Public Works Minister Roland Layfette Giddings, the Ministry raised concerns over the absence of prior consultation, technical design submission, and engineering review before the commencement of construction.
The Ministry stated that such actions directly interfere with its statutory mandate as the agency solely responsible for overseeing all public infrastructure works across Liberia. The letter emphasized that no further construction or mobilization should take place on the project site until all relevant documents are submitted, reviewed, and approved by the Ministry.
Minister Giddings explained that this regulatory intervention is necessary to ensure that all infrastructure initiatives conform to proper engineering standards, environmental protection measures, and fiscal accountability.
He added that while the Ministry encourages development efforts by all stakeholders, including political and private actors, those efforts must align with national procedures designed to safeguard public safety and resource use. The Ministry indicated its willingness to provide full technical assistance once the proper documentation is received.
The letter was also copied to House Speaker Richard Koon and Bong County Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris, highlighting the involvement of both legislative and local government authorities in the issue.
The Ministry’s decision to stop the project has triggered significant public backlash in Bong County, with many residents accusing the government of politicizing development.
Saffa Jallah, a resident of Gbarnga, said the move shows that Liberia will never develop because politics continues to undermine progress. Jerry Kanwah, another resident, argued that halting a project financed by private funds for the public good is unfair, and said that politics has ruined the country.
Mohammed Kanneh recalled a similar incident in Gbarpolu County, where the Ministry allegedly stopped a bridge project under comparable circumstances. He questioned whether the Ministry’s action was politically motivated, aimed at undermining Musa Bility due to his rising political profile.
Kanneh added that the government appears to be targeting the Citizens Movement for Change and questioned why the ruling establishment is not initiating such projects themselves.
He warned that continued obstruction of development efforts will further erode public trust and possibly impact the government’s future at the polls. Jerry Flomo, another resident, defended the intent of the project, saying it was initiated to meet an urgent community need and not to defy national law. He said the sponsors respect the Ministry’s regulatory role and are committed to resolving the matter quickly so the bridge can be completed without further delay.
While the Ministry stands firm on enforcing legal standards, critics argue that excessive bureaucracy and political interference are stalling community-driven initiatives that aim to address critical infrastructure needs. For now, the people of Gbarnga remain in limbo as the bridge construction is on hold, pending regulatory clearance from the Ministry of Public Works.
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