By Stephen N. Tokpah
-Bong (Freelance)
Marketers in Bong County, Central Liberia are confused at the moment about whether to stay at the old Gbarnga Central Market or move to the Sirleaf Market edifice.
The aggrieved marketers took to the streets of Gbarnga on Tuesday morning setting road block at the Jor Bridge against their fellow marketers who are still refusing to leave the old market.
Their argument is that the leadership of the county through Gbarnga City Mayor Gallah Varpliah demolished their tables, while others were left to still sell at their spot instead of being relocated to the new market.
However, the Police in Bong County commanded by Fasu V. Sheriff and the County Administrative Officer, Sam Elliott, intervened by asking the aggrieved marketers to remove the road block on grounds that they were going to establish contact with some local authorities and members of the Bong County Legislative Caucus to meditate between the aggrieved parties.
The Bong County Police Commander and the County Administrative Officer requested the aggrieved party to give them three days to establish contact with the rightful authorities at the market.
Based on the intervention by the police and the County Administrative Officer, the aggrieved marketers agreed to the three days ultimatum given but assured the negotiators that if they cannot resolve the standoff in the market, they would go back to their protest until redress is sought from the county leadership.
Political pundits in the county have been accusing Senator Prince Moye of allegedly undermining Mayor Varpliah and Superintendent Hawa Norris’ efforts regarding the relocation of vendors from the Gbarnga Central Market.
Following the demolition of the old Gbarnga Central Market by the Gbarnga City Cooperation on July 28, 2024, marketers have been requested to move to the newly constructed Sirleaf Market but that has not yielded fruition.
It is however rumored that Senator Moye on July 29, 2024, instructed the marketers to return to the old market following a massive protest by marketers in the county.
In June, the office of the County Superintendent and that of the Mayor of Gbarnga, as well as the Liberia Marketing Association Bong County Superintendent, disclosed that the newly dedicated Gbarnga Central Market would have become operational in the latter part of August.
Though officially dedicated on June 19, 2024, the Central Market’s official opening to the public was deferred by the local authorities due to what was described as ‘some technical issues’ that prompted Vice President Jeremiah Koung, who supervises markets across the country, to request an extension.
