The leadership of the opposition Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) has reportedly fallen in trouble with some residents in Bong County.
As such, a development initiative that once rekindled hope among residents of Gbarnga’s Civil Compound Community, has now become the center of public outrage.
Due to that, angry residents on Monday, June 22, staged a protest
against the reported removal of construction materials from the Jor Bridge project site in Gbarnga City. The protest erupted after a load belt truck bearing license plate HO5052 arrived to relocate materials previously delivered by CMC’s stalwarts.
Those members were reportedly accompanied to the purported project site near Gbarnga by CMC political leader, Musa Hassan Bility.
Within minutes, residents gathered at the scene. They demanded that the materials remain, and questioned the motives behind the removal. The incident triggered widespread criticism of CMC in the community, with many residents accusing the party of creating expectations it was unwilling to fulfill. Protesters argued that the materials were brought to support a much-needed bridge project, and therefore, should not be removed without clearly explaining to the people, who would benefit from the development. Residents described the attempted relocation of the building materials as “disappointing and troubling development,” particularly for a community that has long struggled with infrastructure challenges. Many said, they viewed the bridge project as evidence that their concerns were finally being heard, only to be confronted with “uncertainty and confusion.” “What happened here has left many people disappointed. Communities need development, not promises that disappear when the Facebook cameras are off,” one resident said.
The controversy quickly escalated beyond the bridge itself, becoming a wider debate about political accountability and public trust. Several protesters argued that development projects should never be treated as political tools. They warned that actions perceived as undermining community progress could have lasting consequences on public confidence.
Some of them insisted that if the materials were genuinely intended for the bridge project, there should be no justification for removing them.
Other protesters described the move as “direct contradiction of the development message that accompanied the materials when they were first delivered.”
As tensions mounted throughout the day, residents vowed to remain vigilant and prevent any effort to remove the materials until a satisfactory explanation is provided.
By press time late last night, CMC officials have yet to release a statement on the saga.
The absence of an immediate response intensified public criticism, with many residents demanding transparency and accountability.
For a community eager to see real development, the events at Jor Bridge have transformed what was once a symbol of hope into a source of frustration, suspicion, and growing distrust.