Gbarnga – The political landscape in Bong County is rife with discontent as Senator Johnny Kpehe Sr faces escalating criticisms from constituents regarding his failure to deliver on a pivotal campaign promise: the construction of an Ambulance Hub in the county. This project, touted as the “Senator Johnny Kpehe Sr Ambulance Hub,” was estimated to cost US$100,000, with an anticipated completion and dedication date set for early January 2025. Groundbreaking for the Ambulance Hub’s construction was in early August 2024.
During the fervor of the 2023 Senatorial Elections, which propelled Kpehe into political prominence, he assured a sizable political gathering in Gbarnga that the Ambulance Hub would be a cornerstone of his commitment to improving healthcare in the region. Kpehe confidently pledged that the hub would not only be built but also equipped with a fleet of ambulances, managed in collaboration with the Bong County Health Team (BCHT). He also committed to funding the maintenance costs of the emergency vehicles and facility, in addition to covering the salaries of personnel tasked with managing the hub.
“Once completed, this facility will be a vital resource for our community, reducing response times and ultimately saving lives,” Kpehe asserted at the time, a promise that resonated deeply with voters desperate for enhanced healthcare services.
However, as time has elapsed, the enthusiasm among Bong County residents has steadily diminished. Many are disillusioned by Kpehe’s apparent failure to act on his pledges, leading to increasing frustrations. The citizens expected accountability and transparency, but have instead faced vague reassurances regarding the construction of the hub.
Adding to this unrest, it has emerged that Kpehe allegedly scaled down the project from its original vision to a significantly less comprehensive “mini” ambulance hub. This alteration in scope has sparked outrage, particularly among residents from remote towns who feel abandoned by Kpehe, despite their significant contributions to his electoral success.
Local sentiments are mounting, with many residents expressing their disappointment. “We believed in his promise and campaigned hard for him,” said a local leader, “but now it feels like we’ve been forgotten.”
In response to the mounting critiques, Senator Kpehe has shifted responsibility to the Bong County Health Team, BCHT, claiming that the agency has undervalued the urgency of the Ambulance Hub’s construction in favor of completing an abandoned clinic in Yeila.
Kpehe stated, “The health administrator, Sam Siakor, advised me to prioritize the clinic, which is crucial for immediate healthcare needs in that area. Only once that is completed can we redirect efforts to the Ambulance Hub.”
To corroborate Kpehe’s claims, Siakor confirmed that, once the clinic is completed, the construction of the Ambulance Hub would commence shortly thereafter. “The focus is on getting this clinic fully operational first; once we meet that goal, we can turn our attention to the ambulance hub,” Siakor stated.
Amidst these conversations, the Media Consultant in the offices of Senator Kpehe, Armstrong Doloyuwah, told our reporter that the clinic has reached an 85% completion level, adding to his boss’s previous assurances that once the clinic is done, the hub’s construction will follow strictly.
While Kpehe maintains that he is working in the best interest of the health needs of Bong County, the growing criticism suggests a loss of confidence among voters and raises questions about future political support. As the Senator navigates these turbulent waters, constituents await tangible progress on the promised Ambulance Hub, a project they hope will soon transition from campaign promise to a reality benefiting the community.
Whether Kpehe can quell the mounting criticisms and restore faith in his leadership remains to be seen, as the citizens of Bong County continue to advocate for the healthcare solutions they were promised.
