By Amos Harris
For the more than 100,000 residents spread across ten communities in DU-Neezo, a road is far more than a stretch of pavement it is a lifeline to hospitals, schools, businesses, and hope for a better future.
That reality came into sharp focus on Saturday when a cross-section of residents gathered to meet Montserrado County District #2 Representative Sekou S. Kanneh over the stalled pavement of the only major access road linking Jacob Town, Nicky’s, City View and Weins Town.
The meeting, held in the heart of the community, quickly turned emotional as residents recounted years of hardship caused by the deplorable condition of the road.
Speaking on behalf of the community, General Chairman Mr. Livingstone J. Gballai described the painful human cost of the unfinished project.
According to him, the damaged road has contributed to tragic deaths during medical emergencies, as patients often struggle to reach health facilities in time.
He also spoke of several pregnant women who reportedly suffered miscarriages while attempting to navigate the rough road in search of urgent care.
For school children, the journey has become a daily burden, students reportedly leave home early only to arrive late and exhausted, while some miss classes entirely during the rainy season.
The road has also made movement difficult for persons living with disabilities, particularly those connected to the Mission of Hope for the Disabled, where transportation challenges continue to deepen their isolation.
What once began as a symbol of promise has now become a source of frustration.
The road project was officially launched on July 19, 2020, following a groundbreaking ceremony by former President George M. Weah. Residents said the contract was awarded to Solid Rock, with assurances that the work would be completed within six months.
That promise raised hopes across the community.
Many residents believed the pavement would transform their lives by improving access to healthcare, boosting local businesses, easing transportation, and increasing property values.
But those dreams have remained out of reach.
“It promised safer travel, better business, improved healthcare access, and a better life for our people,” the chairman lamented.
“Today, we are seeing the opposite of hope and development.”
Residents say the work started but was later abandoned after they were informed that the head of the contracting firm had died.
During the 2023 general elections campaign, another company, Cement and Steel, returned to continue the pavement, briefly reviving public optimism.
Since then, the community says no clear explanation has been given, despite repeated promises that the project would be captured in the national budget.
Now, many say the delay has left them feeling forgotten.
Listening attentively to every testimony, Representative Sekou S. Kanneh assured residents that their concerns would not go unheard.
Known locally for supporting development initiatives, the lawmaker pledged his commitment to engaging relevant authorities and exploring practical steps to ensure the road project resumes.
For residents, his presence offered a glimmer of reassurance.
The DU-Neezo community remains hopeful that this latest intervention will finally bring relief to years of suffering and restore confidence in a project that once symbolized progress.
Until then, families continue to endure the daily struggle of living along a road that was meant to change their lives but instead has become a painful reminder of promises unfulfilled.
