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By: Emmanuel Tarpeh Quiah-Maryland County
Maryland County: November 1, 2025: A US$35,000 bridge project that began in 2022 to connect Memleken Town with a neighboring community remains incomplete, leaving residents isolated and frustrated over what they describe as a project gone wrong.
The abandoned bridge according to the residents, stands as a symbol of neglect and failed promises from both local authorities and contractors.
The project which was requested by two nearby towns, was meant to ease movement and improve trade between the communities. However, three years later, the bridge lies unfinished, forcing residents to construct a temporary plank bridge just to cross between the towns.
According to locals, despite the US$35,000 budget, citizens were instructed to provide their own sand for construction. The local government contributed just one Truck load of sand, and residents accused contractors of using 12ML steel rods meant for house windows rather than the stronger 18ML rods suitable for bridge work.
“The bridge is not guaranteed to last,” said one community member. “We were told to bring sand even though the government funded it. Now the bridge is unsafe and incomplete.”
Town Chief Mr. Alex T. William described the structure as substandard, estimating that it’s not even worth US$5,000. He said the issue has been reported to the County Superintendent but no action has been taken.
Town Speaker Mark Cooper further highlighted the terrible road conditions, saying the Cavalla Rubber Corporation (CRC) had abandoned road works that once offered hope to the community.
Adding to their woes, the town’s only clinic, built in 2011 under the County Development Fund, is non-functional.
The Ministry of Health reportedly refused to recognize it because it was constructed without an approved health blueprint, resulting in a structure that resembles a house rather than a clinic.
Today, there are no nurses, no doctors, and no medical supplies. The only medical aid comes from Partners In Health (PIH), which carries out 3–4 one-day outreach visits per year, mostly to treat pregnant women. He made these statements during a media engagement on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
Resident Sarah Cooper expressed her disappointment saying, “Since the clinic was built, it has not been dedicated. There are no drugs, no nurse, and no doctor. Our children are suffering too much.”
Nemeken’s only school, established by the NGO Street Child, once offered education from ABC to Grade One and provided free materials such as copybooks and school bags. The government later assigned a single teacher, Mr. Josiah Suku, who also serves as a community watch forum member.
Street Child had sponsored a young resident for teacher training, but the trainee failed to complete the program, and the NGO withdrew its support after promising three years of teacher compensation. As a result, the school has been closed for several months, leaving children to walk over an hour daily to neighboring towns for classes.
The Abandoned School
“Our children have no school here,” said Town Chief William. “The one Street Child built is closed, and no teacher has replaced the one who left.”
Residents accused their district representative of failing to maintain communication and breaking promises, including the construction of a pala-hut and the donation of an engine boat promised in March 2025.
They also alleged that CRC has refused to employ or contract anyone from the town despite operating on community land. “CRC refused to take any contractor from our town,” said Chief William. “They even enter our old rubber farm without informing us.” The town’s problems are compounded by a shortage of clean drinking water. Nemeken relies on only one hand pump, which serves all households.
Women’s leader Mrs. Martha Williams described the hardship residents face daily, “We have no drugs, no road, no school, and only one hand pump for water. Our children and pregnant women are the ones suffering the most.”
Nemeken Town’s residents are calling on the government, local authorities, and development partners to take urgent action. They want the bridge completed, the clinic reopened with medical staff, and the school revived to ensure a better future for their children.
“Our bridge, clinic, and school are all failed projects,” Chief Williams concluded. “We are appealing to the government and our partners to remember Nemeken.”