Controversial Bridge Project Recommences Following Greenlight

By: J Boimah Johnson | Bong Correspondent

Gbarnga City, Bong County |Feb.3, 2026 |  After several months of delay, the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) has commenced the clearing of the site ahead of the actual construction of much talked about Jor Bridge.

Situated between the Civil Compound and Brooklyn Community in the city of Gbarnga, the Jor River is a local source characterized by its muddy banks, running through the Civil Compound area.

It is central to the beautiful landscape of the city of Gbarnga and as of late 2025, construction work stalled before it even began.

The Jor River serves as a quiet, flowing source and constitutes a major overlooked feature of the local landscape; surrounded by residential areas.

Sometime last year, the CMC’s decision to embark on the construction of a modern bridge resulted in a burning political issue cum back and forth claiming public attention as well as involvement; with the Government of Liberia eventually halting the bridge construction following a series of red flags that it raised regarding the project.

The government then went ahead to indicate its decision to take over the bridge construction indicating the series of missteps it blamed on the CMC.

Long matter short, Bong County Senator Prince K. Moye who appeared to have been one of the key figures involved in the matter, eventually saw the need to calm down and resolve this issue in the interest of the county and the citizens.

Thereafter, Senator Moye appealed to the Ministry of Public Works to allow the CMC execute the project for and on behalf the people of Bong; an appeal which was accepted; thus bringing the bridge issue to a close.

Fast-forward to present; on January 30, 2026, scores of residents witnessed the clearing up exercise at the site of the bridge for the beginning of construction work on the bridge. As said earlier, the bridge upon completion, will connect several communities within the City of Gbarnga.

With the CMC resumption of work on the Jor River Bridge, it is expected that the government through the Works Ministry will provide oversight so that the construction falls in line with its standards and regulatory framework.

The estimated cost for the Jor River bridge is in the tune of USD$400,000 with the blue print and all supporting documents already submitted and approved by the MPW.

Speaking at the site of the bridge construction, the Chief of Staff in the Office of Rep. J Marvin Cole, Mr. J Eldorado V. Kermue said the bridge construction will provide short term employment for some residents of the County.

Also speaking to Rural Reporter News Network at the clearing site, James Gbapiah, a resident of Brooklyn Community expressed happiness that the CMC has resumed the project and said the entire community is in joyous mood about this latest development.

Mr. Gbapiah emphasized that for the past time several children have lost their lives at the crossing point due to the condition of the area, and wants citizens of the County, especially affected communities to rally around the contractors in making sure the project becomes a reality.

Meanwhile, Mr. Gbapiah is calling on citizens of the County to put politics aside and focus on the bridge, which is expected bring relief to residents of concerned communities but also the city of Gbarnga at large..

It can be recalled last year during the ground breaking ceremony in some part of October last year, the political leader of CMC and Nimba County Electoral District #7, Representative Musa Hassan Bility promised to erect a modern bridge through an appeal from Bong County Electoral District #3, Representative J Marvin Cole by the Citizens of the region.