By Gareyson Neufville
Maryland County, Liberia – Representative Austin Taylor of Maryland County District Three, has defended the construction of a US$6,000 wooden bridge in his district, stating that the project was only meant to temporarily assist residents and was not part of his official responsibilities as a lawmaker.
In a public statement issued over the weekend, following a Verity News report of the bridge collapse, Rep. Taylor said several viral social media reports sourced from Verity News had attempted to blame him for the current condition of the Dorrobo–Barrobo wooden bridge in District #3, Maryland County.
According to the lawmaker, the bridge was constructed in 2024 as a temporary solution after an earlier structure was washed away by floodwaters. Dorrobo–Barrobo wooden bridge connects a major route in Maryland.
“My attention has been drawn to several viral social media posts and reports attempting to place blame on me for the condition of a wooden bridge that I assisted the community in constructing temporarily in 2024,” Taylor said.
He emphasized that the construction and maintenance of bridges, roads, schools, and clinics are not statutory duties of members of the Legislature but fall under government agencies responsible for infrastructure development.
Taylor pointed specifically to the Ministry of Public Works and other relevant ministries as the institutions mandated to handle such projects.
“As a lawmaker representing the people, my primary constitutional duty is legislation, oversight, and representation,” he said. “However, like many lawmakers across Liberia, I sometimes intervene to help communities address urgent needs when government institutions face competing priorities.”
The Maryland County lawmaker explained that the wooden bridge was never intended to serve as a permanent structure but rather as an emergency measure to allow residents to move freely and continue their daily activities while awaiting a more durable government solution.
He further called on journalists and media institutions to direct their attention to the appropriate government agencies responsible for infrastructure development so that long-term technical solutions can be provided.
Taylor also urged the media to maintain professionalism and avoid what he described as misleading narratives aimed at attracting attention on social media.
“Such actions can easily misinform the public and undermine constructive engagement on important development issues,” he noted.
Despite the controversy, the lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for development in District #3, Maryland County, and pledged to continue engaging relevant government institutions to ensure that communities in the district receive the infrastructure they need.
