By Moses J. Dawoe
/Southeastern Correspondent
The Liberian government’s US$35,000 unfinished bridge project in Maryland County collapsed during back-filling in Gbolobo Nemeken, Maryland County.
Speaking to reporters on March 13, 2025, Clan Chief Cyrus T. Cooper informed the public that Gbolobo Nemeken received $35,000 from the Maryland County Development Fund to initiate a bridge project aimed at connecting two communities and facilitating free movement within the county.
According to Cooper, the local leadership of Maryland County allegedly misappropriated the funds allocated during the County Council Sitting for the construction of the bridge in Gbolobo Nemeken.
He further mentioned that during the construction process, he confronted Pleebo District Development Officer Emmanuel Quire and Pleebo Sodoken Statutory District Superintendent Aloysius Williams, regarding the substandard materials being used for the project but was ignored.
Mr. Cooper lamented that the Weah-led local administration had been informed about the poor quality of work being carried out by the contractor, but no action was taken.
Cooper stated that former County Superintendent George A. Prowd, failed to address the issue when reports emerged that the project had collapsed during the backfilling process.
The community leader stressed that he had raised concerns based on his expertise as a local construction worker with over seven years of experience, but the government failed to provide any redress.
According to Cooper, the bridge was crucial for ensuring access to movement during the rainy season, particularly for schoolchildren traveling between Gbolobo Wartiken and other parts of the Cavalla River belt.
Meanwhile, Cooper noted that the junior high school is located in Wartiken, while the daycare section is in Nemeken. He explained that the bridge was essential for both communities to send their children to school.
Sources have informed the Inquirer that the Maryland County leadership has already paid 95% of the $35,000 contract amount to the contractor responsible for the bridge project.
