By: Matalay Kollie
Bong County Senator Prince Moye has highlighted the critical importance for the completion of the Baryata bridge.
The project he stated is funded by the county’s Social Development Fund and if completed will help connect local residents within the County.
He informed the media that the bridge, which cost approximately $97,000, was contracted to the Sesay Brothers construction company.
According to Senator Moye, out of the amount, the county, under the Weah’s Administration, only paid $50,000 to the contractor, leaving an outstanding balance of $47,000 since 2019.
Senator Moye expressed frustration over the county’s failure to fulfill its financial obligations, stating, “Any amount paid to the company beyond the 50,000, nobody should trust him any longer.
He pointed out that building a bridge halfway not only undermines the investment but also jeopardizes the connectivity of communities in the area.
However, recognizing the dire need for action, Senator Moye reached out to MNG Gold, a Turkish Mining Company in the region, encouraging the company to fulfill its corporate social responsibility by investing in its infrastructure, especially backfilling the bridge and rehabilitating feeder roads in the region.
He praised the management of MNG Gold for their responsiveness and commitment, noting that they have undertaken rehabilitation work on the road leading to Gbarnga and are now engaged in crucial backfilling efforts for the bridge.
“This intervention is not just about the bridge; it’s also about ensuring that communities like Baryata are connected,” Moye stated.
He expressed his gratitude to MNG Gold staff, particularly Matthew Gbarken, and their team for their dedicated efforts in enhancing the region’s infrastructure, which he believes, will significantly benefit the local population.
In a related development, , Senator Prince Moye has clarified speculation about the ongoing development of the Baryata clinic, a government-sponsored health initiative currently under construction by the county health team.
Senator Moye emphasized that the project is funded through the national budget, and any delays in its construction should be directed to the county health team rather than individuals involved in the budgeting process.
Moye at the same time highlighted his commitment to transparency and development, asserting that while he played a crucial role in advocating for the clinic’s funding, he does not have control over the contractor assignments or the construction timeline.
He pointed out that issues surrounding the clinic’s progress may stem from mismanagement by previous county health administrators, suggesting that local funds allocated for community projects were not utilized effectively.
Expressing optimism for the future, Senator Moye acknowledged the potential benefits the clinic will bring to the community, alongside plans for infrastructure enhancements, particularly road improvements to facilitate better access to the Baryata clinic.
He reaffirmed his dedication to collaborating with local management to ensure the timely completion of such essential project and to explore further developments that would enhance the community’s access to healthcare and other vital services.