The Chengbette Bridge in Grand Kru County has crumbled, thereby making travels now a nightmare for the locals. The bridge provides a lasting economic benefit to the people.
As such, Grand Kru County citizen, Elijah Wreh, has launched a scathing challenge to authorities over the use of the County Development Fund (CDF).
Wreh questioned why significant portion of resources are being committed to short-term projects while critical infrastructure continues to deteriorate.
His concern centers on the Chengbette Bridge in District #2, which he says, has remained a major setback for residents for nearly three years, affecting transportation, trade, and the movement of goods and services.
Wreh has particularly questioned the reported US$50,000 allotted for the renovation of a football pitch in preparation for the National County Sports Meet.
He argues that the same amount could have been used to recondition the damaged Chengbette Bridge, and provide a lasting economic benefit to the people.
He pointed to other reported CDF expenditures, including US$48,000 for the renovation of the Superintendent’s Compound, US$13,759.50 to Public Works as Daily Substance Allowance, and US$14,856.60 for the rehabilitation of 14 hand pumps, covering fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026.
For Wreh, the central issue is not whether the county should support sports. Rather, he wants county authorities to explain whether the current spending priorities reflect the most pressing needs of ordinary citizens.
He also questioned the wisdom of placing such strong emphasis on the National County Sports Meet when, according to him, the county continues to face outstanding obligations to players, coaches, and staff from the competition.
“What is terrifying is why the CDF is concentrated on County Meet when, in the end, we still owe players, staff, and coaches?”
Wreh believes development funds should produce tangible, long-term improvements in the lives of citizens rather than being heavily concentrated on activities whose benefits may be temporary.
The Chengbette Bridge, he argues, is precisely the kind of infrastructure that should command urgent attention, “because its condition directly affects economic activity.”
