Harper City, Maryland County – March 7, 2025 – A significant milestone was reached with the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction and rehabilitation of key roads in and around Harper City. The event was led by Maryland County Senator and Chair of the Senate Executive Committee, Hon. James P. Biney, alongside Harper District #1 Representative and Chair of the Ways, Means, Finance, and Budget Committee in the House of Representatives, Hon. P. Mike Jurry.
The ceremony took place on Friday, March 7, 2025, in New Kru Town, Harper, and was attended by notable representatives from the Ministry of Public Works, community leaders from women’s groups, and representatives from the Christian, Muslim, and Fula communities.
The construction is being undertaken by Gabmark Group of Companies, a reputable Maryland-based construction firm led by Executive Director Gabriel Tarpeh. With a proven track record in managing large-scale projects for both private entities and the Government of Liberia, Gabmark will oversee the first phase of the project, which is expected to cost just over USD 45,000 and will be closely monitored by the Ministry of Public Works.
The roads slated for rehabilitation include vital routes such as Old Kru Town to the Seaport of Harper, New Kru Town to Tubman University Campus, Stadium Road to the Airfield, and several others, significantly impacting the transportation infrastructure of the area.
During the ceremony, Confidence Russell, known as Royal Spartan Russell and the focal person for Senator Biney on the project, emphasized the long-standing road issues faced by the local population. He remarked that it was time for lawmakers to address these challenges by initiating much-needed road rehabilitation to improve community and feeder roads.
“We think our people have had issues with roads over time, and this time around, they all saw the need to work together collectively to address that,” Russell stated, stressing that the project’s success relies on the cooperation of both community leaders and residents. He acknowledged that road development can be challenging and may cause discomfort, especially when property relocation is involved, but emphasized that collective effort is key to ensuring the project progresses smoothly.
Thaddeaus Kumar, representing Hon. P. Mike Jurry, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting the importance of roads as critical economic infrastructure. He thanked both lawmakers for their leadership in ensuring the rehabilitation of roads in Harper and its surroundings.
“Hon. Jurry and I have spoken many times about community development, and this is one of the many efforts made,” Kumar noted, also praising Gabriel Tarpeh as a son of the soil and commending the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Public Works.
A. Tete Nagbe Sonpon, Commissioner of Tobyville Township, expressed immense joy at the groundbreaking, describing it as a momentous occasion for the community. Reflecting on the past, he pointed out that since 1989, the community has not seen such large-scale road development efforts from the government, making the event particularly significant.
“If you don’t want to see development, then you don’t want to live long. From 1989, I have never seen Public Works working on this road,” Sonpon stated. “This is a serious embarrassment, seeing residents fixing their roads with bare hands. Now, we are witnessing real progress.”
Following the ceremony, Gabriel Tarpeh shared that the first phase of the road rehabilitation is expected to be completed within two weeks, with the second phase to follow soon after. He explained that the exact distance to be covered will be determined after engineers assess the areas.
Tarpeh acknowledged the crucial support from Minister Julian Morias Johnson of the Ministry of Public Works, who played a pivotal role in securing the necessary equipment for the project. He also thanked Hon. Anthony F. Williams for his instrumental role in negotiating with the Ministry and assisting in the transportation of machinery to the county for road rehabilitation work.
Both Senator Biney and Representative Jurry have committed to covering all expenses for the project, demonstrating their dedication to improving the lives of the people of Harper and surrounding areas. Tarpeh assured that all necessary resources and efforts are being mobilized to ensure the road rehabilitation is completed within the timeframe set out in the contract with the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE).
The groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of a transformative journey for Harper, as road development is expected to stimulate economic growth, improve mobility, and enhance the quality of life for residents. With strong local leadership commitment, the project is poised to bring long-lasting benefits to the community and the broader Maryland County.
