Public Works Ministry Skip Vital Gbarnga-Mendikorma Road Updates

Voinjama, Lofa County — Residents of Lofa County are voicing mounting frustration after President Joseph Boakai’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) and a subsequent Ministry of Public Works update conspicuously omitted any mention of the long-awaited Gbarnga-Mendikorma highway pavement project, a critical infrastructure pledge central to the region’s development.

The omission has sparked accusations of governmental neglect, with locals accusing the administration of sidelining a project touted during Boakai’s election campaign as vital for improving connectivity, trade, and access to healthcare in northern Liberia. The 75-kilometer road, which links Lofa’s agricultural heartland to major economic hubs, has deteriorated for years, crippling transportation and inflating costs for farmers and traders.

“This road is our lifeline. For the President to ignore it in his SONA, and for the Ministry to act like it doesn’t exist, feels like a betrayal,” said Musa Kamara, a farmer in Mendikorma. “We voted for change, but we’re still stuck in the mud—literally.”

The Ministry of Public Works’ recent Facebook update, which listed ongoing and planned projects, further fueled outrage when it excluded the Gbarnga-Mendikorma corridor. Social media erupted with criticism, with users labeling the exclusion “a slap in the face” and questioning the government’s commitment to rural development.

Political analysts suggest the silence risks eroding trust in Boakai’s administration, particularly in Lofa, a region pivotal to his electoral victory. Opposition figures have seized on the issue, stating, “Empty rhetoric won’t fix this road. Lofians deserve transparency—not silence.”

As tensions simmer, community leaders warn of potential protests if updates remain stalled. “We’ll keep demanding action,” said youth advocate Aminata Sheriff. “Our patience is wearing thin.”

For now, Lofa’s hopes for progress remain unpaved, leaving many to wonder if the Gbarnga-Mendikorma road will ever transition from campaign promise to reality.