By: Patrick Teah Jr.
The District Superintendent of Dorbor District, Hon. Lawrence Nyondweh, has revealed that residents of the district returned approximately L$1.5 million they had raised to construct a temporary timber bridge over the Chengbetee River after county authorities informed them that the Government of Liberia would build a permanent bridge.
Speaking on Verity News on Monday, July 13, 2026, Superintendent Nyondweh said the community launched a self-help initiative after the Chengbetee River Bridge collapsed nearly three years ago, cutting off a major transportation route in District #2, Grand Kru County.
According to him, citizens, local leaders, and other stakeholders mobilized resources and successfully raised about L$1.5 million to construct a temporary timber bridge that would restore movement across the river while awaiting a permanent solution.
However, Superintendent Nyondweh said the community suspended the project after county authorities informed his office that the Government of Liberia had committed itself to constructing a permanent bridge over the Chengbetee River.
Based on that assurance, he explained, the money collected from residents was returned to those who had contributed, as the community expected government construction to begin within a reasonable period.
“After the county informed us that the government would construct the bridge, we returned the money to the people because we believed the project would soon commence,” Superintendent Nyondweh explained during the interview.
Nearly three years later, he said, the promised bridge has not been constructed, leaving residents to continue facing enormous transportation challenges.
To ease the situation, community members have installed a temporary floater on the river to transport people and goods. However, Superintendent Nyondweh described the arrangement as unsafe and unreliable.
He disclosed that since the collapse of the bridge, at least six people have reportedly lost valuable goods while attempting to cross the river, resulting in significant financial losses for affected families and business owners.
The collapsed bridge continues to affect the movement of commuters, traders, students, patients, and other travelers who rely on the route for daily activities. Residents say the lack of a permanent crossing has slowed economic activities and made access to markets and essential services more difficult.
Superintendent Nyondweh is now renewing his appeal to the Government of Liberia to fulfill its earlier commitment by immediately commencing construction of the permanent Chengbetee River Bridge.
He stressed that the bridge remains a critical infrastructure project that will restore safe transportation, improve trade and economic activities, and reconnect communities that have endured years of hardship since the bridge’s collapse.
Residents of Dorbor District continue to hope that the government’s promise will be translated into action so that the long-standing transportation crisis at the Chengbetee River can finally come to an end.
