Deabo Public School Project Faces Delay Concerns

Residents of Deabo Chiefdom, in River Gee County, have raised concerns over the slow pace of work on the government-funded reconstruction of Deabo Public School, a project they said, is critical to improve education.

The project officially broke ground on August 31, 2025, is scheduled for completion on March 31, 2027.  But nearly a year later, community members say, progress has lagged behind expectations.

The US$155,000 project is fully funded by Ministry of Education.

When completed, the new Deabo Public School will have eight classrooms, three administrative offices, one auditorium, six bathrooms, and one service room.

The facility is expected to provide a safer and more modern learning environment for students and teachers.

The Deabo Development Association (DDA) is the client for the project. Beneya Corporation is the contractor, while PR-Tech Incorporated, serves as the engineering consultant.

According to construction records, the contractor completed the foundation phase in May 2026. Since then, residents say, visible progress has been minimal.

Parents and education stakeholders in Deabo say, they are worried, “because the delays could push completion past the March 2027 deadline.”

The reconstruction was approved after years of complaints about the old school buildings. Students were learning in overcrowded and deteriorating classrooms that posed safety risks.

“We have waited too long for a good school. We have called on the contractor and the Ministry of Education to speed up the work so our children can benefit on time,” one resident said.

Chief Civil Engineer, Ezekiel S. Gbaintor, Sr. clarified that the project is 100% government-funded, but not Representative Johnson Williams.

Gbaintor said, Rep. Williams’ support has been limited by donating motorcycles and working tools to help the construction team access the site. He also acknowledged that Williams played a key advocacy role when he lobbied with the government to prioritize the school, which helped secure funding for the project.

This outlet contacted Rep. Williams’ office, where officials admitted there has been a delay, but assured that work will resume anytime soon.