24/05/2023
Commentary !!
Bility's yar river project turns to square zero as heavy downpour of rain overflows river bank
Gbeyii Tengbeh (24-05-2023): On May 2, 2023, it was reported that the waterway of Yar river crossing point in Gbeyii Tengben, Lower Nimba County was finally diverted to make way for the construction of an ambitious US$700 thousand believed to be undertaken by FIFA convict and embattled Liberty Party Chairman Musa Hassan Bility.
(https://www.theafricareport.com/307680/liberia-court-of-arbitration-for-sport-dismisses-bilitys-appeal-against-10-year-ban/).
Bility is an aspirant of Electoral District #7 where the bridge is located.
Said news was greeted with excitement as citizens and commuters in the area were hoping that the timely completion of the project would have served as a total relief to the their age-old challenge of deadly crossing point which has resulted to countless fatalities.
However, if said were ever the case then they were chasing hot air as the Yar River crossing has now become a nightmare and even worst than its pre bridge construction era.
It is reported that heavy downpour of rain has caused the rivers and streams to overflow the banks of the site of the bridge construction, thereby mainly bursting the banks of river where the river was initially diverted.
It is predicted that citizens of the area should brace themselves for the worst as more of these damages are expected amid rainy season as yellow machines were used to remove the outter layers of the soil at the bank of the crossing point which has exposed the area to loose clay/dirt.
Citizens had earlier raised some skepticism about the engineering decision of commencing such serious project during rainy season when that particular area usually gets uncontrollably flooded as a result of cloudburst.
Election is expected in early October this year.
Commuters are now using logs and rafts to cross as the only metal ferry once donated by Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai along with the locally made one got damaged when the Bility's contractors were clearing the site with their yellow machines.
Few years ago, citizens of Gbeiyii, Lao and Zahn commenced a routine citizens rally initiative, where they mobilized resources to construct the bridge. According to report, Fmr. Chaiman Ephraim Yangiah and now recycled as Bility's fanatic is yet to make known to the public how much was collected before the "Bility's takeover" and if said amount was contributed to the ongoing project.
The Srimix Oil &Gas CEO who has also procured more than 4 road building equipment (caterpillars) that worth over hundreds of thousands United States dollars remained tight-lipped on the actual source that is financing the US$700,000 or its equivalent of LDR$115,500,000 Yar River bridge project.
The New Election Law of May 6, 2016 is cleared about the sources of contributions to political parties or independent candidates.
According to articles 6, 7 and 8 of the revised NEC Law, specifically on “campaign financing regulations, among other things state that [Article 6.1] “No contribution shall be made to a political party or candidate from a PERSON WHO IS NOT A CITIZEN OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA.”
On the issue of “in-kind-Gift,” Article 7.1 clearly mandates that “contribution of GOODS AND SERVICES given to political parties or candidates shall constitute contributions, calculated at the reasonable market value on the date received.”
In the same vain, article 8.1 and 8.2 prohibits contribution received from doubtful sources: “No contribution shall me made or knowingly received from Anonymous SOURCES, funds belonging to a corporation, a labor organization, a bank etc,” while Article 8.2 sets the bar for contribution by a Liberian contributor as indicated as follows: “No legal person shall contribute more than US$100,000.00 or its equivalent in Liberian Dollars in total to a party and it’s candidates or independent candidates for use in an election campaign.
Though the National Elections Commission has not yet certificated politicians aspiring for elective posts as candidates, however, political pundits are beginning to raise concerns about the actual motive of aspirant Bility's extravagant “pre campaign projects” worth millions of United States or are intended to induce voters.
said overly sending to induce electorates just for a "representative seat" must signal a "red flag."
While citizens welcome development of any nature once it would alleviate some sorts of hardship and burden, however, it's also the citizens' right to know about the sources of these projects as illicit financing is counter productive to international best practices.
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