BY: Shallon S.Gonlor/+231881471044
shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
GBEI TAINGBAIN TOWN — Nimba County’s District #7 newly elected Representative, Musa Hassan Bility has finally rescued community people including women and vulnerable children challenged by deplorable Yarr River Bridge in Gbei Taingbain Town.
On Monday, May 20 Rep. Bility held a ceremonial ribbon cutting to announce the grand dedication of a newly constructed Yarr River Bridge that connects Nimba County Districts 7&8 and other parts of Liberia.
According to report, the Yarr River that runs between Gbeyi Tengbein and Yeahyee towns in Nimba County Districts 7&8 has long been a death trap for citizens living in that part of the county, traveling in canoes, a dangerous movement.
History has recorded that, over the decades too many canoes have capsized, too many people drowned, many people mostly children died while trying to cross the river, Yarr which in Gio and Mano means (danger or death).
Residents of the two Towns, Gbei Taingbain and Yeahyee usually used canoes to travel across the Yarr River to attend to others activities.
It can be recalled that on Sunday, September 27, 2015 about nine years ago five persons drowned in the Yarr River when a boat carrying nine passengers along with two motorcycles capsized, leaving five of the nine occupants drowned in the river.
Citizens of Gbei Taingbain and Yeahyee Towns have over the years reportedly engaged their past and current lawmakers, including county authorities to intervene about the crossing point, but their calls at the time failed to address the problem.
Speaking at the dedication ceremony, Rep. Musa Hassan Bility said the bridge project comes as the result of life threaten challenges face by people of his district.
He averred further that the Yarr River bridge project aim to enhance accessable road connectivity and safety for residents and local business people in the community.
Rep. Bility, ahead of his election has been actively engaged in impactful developmental projects including the construction of bridges connecting communities in his district in Nimba county.
The bridge, singlehandedly funded by Representative Musa Hassan Bility through his development foundation, Bility Development Foundation had a little over US$1.1million.
“Engaging the public is an essential part of projects” the Nimba District 7 lawmaker said.
The construction of the bridge commenced March 2023 and officially dedicated Monday, May 20, 2024.
The colorful dedication ceremony created a huge attraction in Gbei Tiangbain, where the facility is located, as citizens described Rep. Bility as an asset and a true example of leader.
However, some residents who spoke to reporter at the occasion said the project does not only provide them convenience, but also everlasting peace of mind.
Residents in the area say the bridge is something that will save them for the rest of their life.
“It’s been a long time coming” was the statement of the day on Monday from citizens who are the beneficiaries of the bridge project.
Several government officials and prominent Nimbaians like Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Senators Prince Yormie Johnson, and Nathaniel McGill, House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa and former Managing Director of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Harrison S. Karnwea, Madam Charslyn Brownskin, Nimba’s Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono among others graced the colorful ceremony.
