By Vaye Abel Lepolu
Gbarnga, Bong County – Bong County Superintendent Loleyah Norris has rejected claims by District #3 Representative Josiah Marvin Cole that she ordered the suspension of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) bridge project in Gbarnga. Rep. Cole, speaking during a recent groundbreaking ceremony, alleged that Norris intervened to stop the initiative, citing government plans for a similar bridge over the Jor River.
But in a telephone interview, Superintendent Norris dismissed the lawmaker’s remarks as unfounded.
“I don’t know anything about that,” she said. “There’s no document in my possession stopping any project. I never told anyone to halt construction.” Norris clarified that her concerns were strictly procedural. According to her, she only contacted Rep. Cole after noticing a social media post about the event.
“I simply asked why I wasn’t informed. He later told me he had called and sent a WhatsApp message. All I said was that before anyone builds a bridge, they should follow the right process through the Ministry of Public Works,” she explained. The Superintendent acknowledged that the government already has blueprints for two bridges in Gbarnga one from the Old Iron Gate into the city and another from the Lofa Road side earmarked for possible inclusion in the 2026 national infrastructure program.
“This was based on recommendations from the Intellectual Center, and Public Works assured me it would be part of their 2026 agenda,” Norris said. “But if someone wants to build it earlier, we should just compare notes.” While disappointed at not being officially informed of the groundbreaking, Norris emphasized she is not opposed to private efforts that aim to improve the county. “I only want things done the right way,” she stated. “Sometimes politics creates unnecessary misunderstanding.”
