By Henry B. Gboluma, Jr.
The planned construction of a two-lane concrete bridge in Bambu Town, Gbarpolu County’s electoral District #1, has sparked a dispute between the lawmaker of that district and authorities of the Ministry of Public Works.
Led by Gbarpolu District #1 lawmaker in the House of Representatives, Zinnah Norman, the project aims to build a durable two-lane concrete bridge, with groundbreaking scheduled for Saturday, 12 July.
However, the Ministry of Public Works has registered its strong opposition to the initiative, citing the area earmarked for the bridge construction as being in the way of a primary road, as the basis for its opposition.
Gbarpolu County’s Resident Engineer for Gbarpolu, Aaron Joboe recently disclosed to Rural Reporters News Network (RRNN) that the Works Ministry is responsible for all primary roads across the country and must approve any construction projects on such roads before construction works begin.
In spite of some construction equipment already being at the proposed site for the construction of the bridge, Joboe stated that the Ministry of Public Works is mobilizing resources to instead build an iron bridge in the same location, hinting that the scheduled groundbreaking ceremony scheduled by the lawmaker Norman and others for this weekend, is unlikely to take place.
Howbeit, Rep Norman claims his office has secured support from Nimba County District #7 Representative Musa Bility to proceed with the concrete bridge.
He questioned the stalling of the project on the part of the Public Works Ministry, alleging that such action was triggered by his office reaching out to the political leader of CMC, Nimba County Rep Bility, to facilitate the project.
Rep Norman emphasized that the pending bridge project is vital to prevent accidents and save lives in his constituency, adding that his office has formally written the Ministry of Public Works, insisting that he will go ahead with the groundbreaking as planned, and blueprints and technical details of the project would be made available to the Ministry afterward.
He disclosed that communities to be impacted by the construction of the bridge and other stakeholders are currently being mobilized to turn out for the Saturday’s groundbreaking event.
He also disclosed that Gbarpolu County Legislative Caucus chair, Senator Botoe Kanneh, was not formally contacted regarding this matter, as she reportedly does not support the use of some US$150,000 approved by delegates during the 2023 County Council sitting for the construction of the Bambu Town Bridge.
It can be recalled that recently, Senator Botoe Kanneh publicly stated that the funds would be allocated to other projects, such as farm-to-market roads, indicating that the Caucus has already requested that the Ministry of Public Works builds the bridge, instead of what is being proposed by Rep Norman, a request the Ministry has already accepted to implement.
Senator Kanneh, has meanwhile praised the Ministry of Public Works for launching phase two of the Brewerville-Bopolu road rehabilitation project.
She urged residents and citizens of Gbarpolu to support these ongoing infrastructure efforts, emphasizing their importance for Gbarpolu’s development and improved connectivity.
As the disagreement over the construction of the Bambu Town Bridge continues, residents and stakeholders await further clarity on whether the project will proceed as scheduled or be altered due to the Works Ministry’s objection.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions between political influence and infrastructural priorities in Gbarpolu, according to political pundits.
