By Jeremiah Gayflor
GANTA CITY, NIMBA COUNTY – Montserrado County Senator Saah H. Joseph has pledged to reopen the Prince Y. Johnson (PYJ) Polytechnic University by February 2026, reigniting hope for thousands of students and residents in Nimba County.
The Senator made the declaration during a tour at the university campus in Ganta, where he also highlighted his personal contributions to the construction of the institution. Senator Joseph said he is working closely with the Nimba County Legislative Caucus and Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung to ensure that the institution is reopened as planned.
“The PYJ Polytechnic University is a critical educational institution in this part of the country, and I remain committed to seeing it functional again by next February,” Senator Joseph stated during his visit.
The university, originally established in 2014 by the late Nimba County Senator Prince Y. Johnson, was closed shortly after his death in November 2024. Since then, the institution has remained inactive, prompting ongoing concerns from the local community and former students.
In recent weeks, students and supporters of the university staged peaceful protests in Ganta, holding placards and marching through the principal streets to demand the reopening of the school.
Public Reaction and Allegations of Conflict of Interest
While Senator Joseph’s announcement has been welcomed by many in the county, it has also sparked political tension. The General Secretary of the Nimba County Unity Party Youth Congress, Printiss Domah, has publicly criticized the senator, accusing him of a conflict of interest.
Domah claimed that Senator Joseph is prioritizing his alleged business dealings with ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) over the needs of the Liberian people.
“The senator’s recent visit to Nimba County, where he pledged support to health and education, is merely a distraction,” Domah said. “His involvement with AML is a clear conflict of interest and should be considered an act of corruption.”
Senator Joseph has yet to respond to the allegations.
As the proposed reopening date approaches, all eyes will be on the Senator, the Legislative Caucus, and national authorities to ensure the university reopens and resumes operations for the benefit of students and the region.
