Liberia: Deteriorating Wooden Bridge Puts Over 600 Yoopedi Residents at Risk, Threatens Daily Livelihoods - FrontPageAfrica

10 Nov 2026, 05:24 · FrontPageAfrica

Liberia: Deteriorating Wooden Bridge Puts Over 600 Yoopedi Residents at Risk, Threatens Daily Livelihoods

YOOPEDI, Maryland County — A deteriorating wooden bridge serving as the main access route to Yoopedi in Harper District, Maryland County is exposing more than 600 residents to potential accidents while disrupting daily transportation and economic activities, prompting calls for urgent government intervention.

By Peter P. Toe, Jr., peterp.toe@frontpageafricaonline.com

The bridge, which connects the community to the main roadside, has reportedly deteriorated to the point where vehicles can no longer cross, forcing motorcyclists to dismount and push their motorcycles across the unsafe structure.

Residents say the situation has become increasingly dangerous, particularly for women, children, elderly people and commuters who depend on the crossing to access markets and other essential services.

Speaking during a community visit, Town Chief Othello S. Freeman said residents have repeatedly contributed money to purchase wooden planks and sticks to keep the bridge accessible, but the temporary repairs are no longer holding up.

According to Freeman, the wooden materials used to maintain the crossing have begun to rot, leaving residents exposed to the possibility of the structure collapsing while they attempt to cross.

“We have been contributing among ourselves to buy planks and sticks to maintain the bridge, but the materials are now rotting. We are finding it difficult to continue doing this,” Freeman explained.

He reported several incidents involving people falling from the bridge, including an alleged fatal incident involving a male resident who reportedly died after falling at the location when no one was available to assist him.

Freeman warned that the continued use of the weakened structure could result in further accidents if authorities fail to intervene.

The chief said residents have exhausted their ability to finance temporary repairs and are now appealing to the county administration, national government and humanitarian organizations to reconstruct the bridge.

Meanwhile, a resident, Augustine Howard disclosed that the bridge was initially constructed through an intervention facilitated by a woman identified as Jackie, who reportedly became involved after falling at the location and subsequently helped mobilize support for its construction.

Howard also referenced the involvement of Bishop Collins in facilitating the project.

Other accounts from the community attributed the construction to an intervention by Caritas Cape Palmas, with support from Caritas Germany through the Diocese of Limburg in Germany.

Residents said they had expected a concrete structure but were instead left with a wooden bridge that has deteriorated over the years.

The community’s concerns are not new. Freeman disclosed that residents had previously engaged former Maryland County Superintendents George A. Prowd and Henry B. Cole over the condition of the bridge, but nothing was done.

The residents are now urging the relevant authorities and development partners to either rehabilitate the existing structure or construct a durable replacement capable of providing safe and reliable access to the community.

For Yoopedi residents, the bridge remains essential to their daily survival, serving as the primary connection between their homes and the main road.

Its condition has also raised concerns about the movement of goods, particularly market produce, and the community’s ability to sustain its economic activities.

With the temporary wooden repairs deteriorating and residents unable to finance additional work, the community fears that continued delays could lead to more serious accidents.

Residents say a durable bridge would not only restore safe passage but also improve transportation, strengthen economic activities and reconnect more than 600 people to essential services and opportunities beyond their community.

For now, the deteriorating crossing remains a daily challenge, with residents calling for intervention before another accident occurs.

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Liberia: Deteriorating Wooden Bridge Puts Over 600 Yoopedi Residents at Risk, Threatens Daily Livelihoods - FrontPageAfrica