By Belthan Tano
Bong County Superintendent Compound that was built at the cost of US$82,000.00 has been engulfed by grass and the biggest latrine center in Gbarnga causing the county superintendent to abandon the area.
The superintendent compound, which was built in 1975, has now become a hideout for a gang of criminals and toilet for residents who live nearby.
In 2009, the county spent US$82,000 from the County and Social Development Fund to renovate the building located in the Civil Compound community in Gbarnga.
The building is the official residence of the superintendent of Bong.
On a recent tour of the building, front face and back of the building indication that people are squatting in the building.
Nearby residents told our correspondent in Gbarngba that criminal gangs, who live in the dilapidated compound usually attack them at night making away with their belongings.
Beatrice Kulle, a resident of the community said recently her phone was snatched away from her right in front of the dilapidated compound broad day light.
“I was making a call when the person came from in the Superintendent’s compound and snatched the phone from my ears,” she recalled.
Francis Papay, who lives in the Civil Compound community, says usually sees a group of young people smoking in the compound at night.
“They come here every night at about 12am,’’ he said. “And when they come they will embarrass us with smoking all night. We are afraid of them.”
Anthony Sheriff, the county’s assistant superintendent for development, described the situation as “embarrassing” that a building that was constructed with taxpayers’ money lies in ruins.
In March last year, a violent storm de-roofed the building, prompting Superintendent Esther Walker to move in her own home along the Demeta road in Gbarnga City.
Walker said she moved to her residence she could no longer host her relatives.
“The condition of the building is an embarrassment to her leadership,” Superintendent Walker said.
“We transfer people (government officials) to guest houses because the superintendent’s compound is down.”
Steve Mulbah, head of the Project Management Committee (PMC), said US$ 50,000 allotted by delegates during last year’s County development sitting to renovate the building.
Some citizens of Bong County are questioning the Leadership of the county, where the money goes as the property remains in a deplorable state since then.
