Public Works Minister to Face Lawmakers’ Inquiry over Stop-Order on Jor River Bridge Construction

MONROVIA, LIBERIA: The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Public Works, Roland Giddings, along with his technical team, to appear before the full plenary on Tuesday, November 17, 2025, to explain the circumstances surrounding the stop-order on the construction of the Jor River Bridge—a key infrastructure project intended to connect commuters between Ganta, Monrovia, and Gbarnga.

The House’s decision came after a formal communication from Bong County Electoral District #3 Representative, Josiah Marvin Cole. Representative Cole expressed deep concern that the ministry’s action could derail ongoing development efforts and adversely affect citizens who rely heavily on the Jor River crossing for transportation and trade.

According to the Bong County Lawmaker, the opposition Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) of Nimba County District #7 Representative Musa Hassan Bility has mobilized over US$500,000 to fund the construction of the bridge.

According to Representative Cole, the project seeks to end what he described as a “four-decade-long infrastructural nightmare” that has plagued residents, led to repeated transportation disruptions, and resulted in loss of life during the rainy season.

“The Ministry of Public Works stop-order sends a troubling message,” Representative Cole stated in his letter. “We cannot afford weaponizing government’s institutions against development initiatives that directly benefit our people, as the welfare of citizens must come before politics,” he added.

In response, the House agreed that Minister Giddings and his technical team must provide clear justification for halting the project, including whether due process and consultation with local authorities were followed before the decision was taken.

Legislators have also called for a broader review of public-private infrastructure partnerships amid growing concerns that bureaucratic bottlenecks and unclear regulatory frameworks are discouraging community-driven development projects nationwide.

The appearance of Minister Giddings before the House on Tuesday is expected to shed light on the policy and technical reasons behind the stop-order and whether the ministry intends to lift it to allow construction to continue.