What was once celebrated as a symbol of hope for the young people of Blameyea Town, in Bong County, has now become a “painful reminder of political promises left unfulfilled.”
For that reason, youths in Blameyea, Jorquelleh District #2, have openly criticized Representative James Kolleh over the abandonment of a youth center project that remains unfinished more than four years after construction began.
The project, launched during the 2021 by-election campaign, was widely promoted as a major development initiative to empower young people, and create opportunities for community engagement.
Today, however, residents say the structure stands as a monument of “neglect and disappointment.”
The project, residents said, generated excitement and contributed to the overwhelming support Rep. Kolleh received during the by-election.
They recalled how he assured them that the youth center was to provide a safe space for training programs and holding meetings, as well as other initiatives to benefit the growing youthful population.
But shortly after the election, work on the facility reportedly came to a halt.
Residents claimed Rep. Kolleh later attributed the delay to legal challenges arising from the election dispute.
While many initially accepted the explanation, frustration has steadily grown as years have passed without visible progress on the project.
The situation has become even more controversial because, according to the youths, Kolleh renewed his promise to complete the facility during the 2023 elections.
Despite those assurances, construction has yet to resume.
A recent visit by reporters saw that the unfinished building sits abandoned and deteriorating, with residents reporting that cattle now use the structure as shelter.
For many community members said, the image symbolizes the “collapse of a promise that once inspired hope.”
Several youths accused Kolleh of taking their support for granted, and have meanwhile, failed to prioritize their needs for better education and development.
They argue that the abandoned project reflects a pattern of “neglect and lack of accountability.”
Rep. Kolleh’s chief of office staff, Emmanuel Gatie said, the project is under active consideration for constructing.
