SACLEPEA, Nimba – Rep. Musa Hassan Bility has dedicated the Yarr River Bridge to connect Nimba’s seventh and eighth electoral districts. The bridge was constructed through the Nimba representative’s Bility Development Foundation.
Situated between Gbehyi Tengbein and Nyeanyee at the famous Yarr River Crossing Point, about eight kilometers from Saclepea, the Chief Dahn Gborwin Memorial Bridge costs over US$900,000.
At the dedicatory ceremony, the board chairman of the Bridge Project Management Committee, J. Lynon Martor, said between 1955 and 2024, over 47 people drowned in the river while attempting to cross.
He said the river had caused untold suffering because it made it difficult for educational and health supplies to reach the region. He applauded Bility for living up to his commitment to the affected communities two years ago.
He said the bridge would provide easy access and unite a once-divided community.
In brief remarks, Bility noted that when he initially promised to build the bridge, many doubted his sincerity. He said those doubts strengthened his resolve to implement the project, and Bility thanked his wife and all those who contributed for their support.
“My special thanks go to people who said that this was not possible,” he said. “I want to thank you very much because you are the ones who inspired me to do this. The more I heard that it was not possible, the more I wanted to do this.”
Delivering the keynote address at the occasion, Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Koung hailed Bility for the initiative and challenged members of the House of Representatives who attended the program to emulate Bility’s example by doing the same in their respective districts.
Vice President Jeremiah Koung cuts the ribbon as the bridge official opens to the public. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Vice President
Koung told the lawmakers that they may not have the money to undertake similar projects, but they should do something that will impact the lives of their constituents. He pointed out that the new system of campaigning in Liberia is to erect billboards and exhibit projects you undertook during your tenure as a way of convincing the electorates to re-elect you.
Other high-profile guests attended the bridge’s dedication, including House Speaker J. Fonati Kofa and 30 members of the House of Representatives. Nimba’s Sen. Prince Yormie Johnson and several members of the Nimba Legislative Caucus also attended, in addition to Margibi’s Sen. Nathaniel Mcgill, former vice-presidential candidate Charlyne Brumskine, former presidential candidate Tiawan S. Gongloe, and Nimba businessman Floyd Seh Tomah.
Guests seated at the program. Photo: Jerry Myers
House Speaker Kofa was elated to see Rep. Bility undertake the development. He called for other lawmakers to follow his example and championed the idea of providing “development dollars” directly for implementation within each district.
Meanwhile, Sen. Johnson urged Nimbaians to see Rep. Bility as a true son of the county by opening every door to him because he is not a tribalist.
“Don’t look at him as a Mandingo; look at him as a citizen of Nimba County,” Johnson said. He further encouraged Liberians to maintain the many years of peace they have enjoyed since the end of the civil war.
“Let us not embark on anything that will disintegrate or scatter us and bring trouble to our land,” Johnson said, as he thanked Bility and businessmen Floyd Tomah and Prince Haward for the private development they have undertaken in Nimba.
Featured photo by Jerry Myers
