By: Samuel Flomo, Jr.
What was once hailed as a symbol of modernization in Bong County seems to have now become a glaring example of political neglect.
The Far East intersection traffic light, installed under the initiative of Senator Johnny Kpehe in Gbarnga, has been left broken and unattended to since September, putting commuters and pedestrians at serious risk.
In a recent phone interview with a local radio station, Senator Kpehe upheld his refusal to repair the damaged light, claiming his office lacks the capacity to intervene.
He insisted his earlier promise during the 2023 general elections was to maintain the lights “within a year”, not beyond, seemingly shrugging off the ongoing danger.
“Please check my official Facebook page comments before installation. I said I would take care of them in a year, not two,” Kpehe stated, offering no clear plan for resolution.
Since the breakdown, traffic at the intersection has been managed manually by the Liberia National Police (LNP) officers only during early morning hours, leaving the rest of the day chaotic and unsafe for drivers and pedestrians alike.
The failure to act has sparked outrage and frustration among residents, many of whom celebrated the traffic light initiative during the elections as a sign of progress.
Citizens now question whether Senator Kpehe’s traffic light project was ever sincere or merely a political stunt.
The inaction has turned a once-promising development into a daily hazard, undermining public confidence in both the senator and the county administration.
With no commitment from Senator Kpehe to repair or replace the system, residents of Bong County are left to wonder whether the “modern traffic initiative” has been abandoned for good, or whether political promises in the region hold any real value.