-Marketers shutdown Superintendent’s Office
A massive protest has erupted in Gbarnga, Bong County, as marketers expressed frustration over a dispute regarding their trade locations. Angered by the uncertainty surrounding the relocation of vendors from the old Gbarnga Central Market to the newly constructed Sirleaf Market, aggrieved marketers, during the early morning hours of Wednesday, November 27, took to the streets and moved to the County Administrative Building where they shut down the office of Superintendent Hawa Norris.
This issue arose after some vendors were reportedly allowed to continue selling at the old site while others were ordered to move to the new market, leading to feelings of unfair treatment among the vendors. The protestors demanded the removal of vendors who were still operating at the old market.
“The City Mayor Gallah Varpilah ordered the demolition of our tables so that we could move to the new market but others were allowed to continue selling at the old site instead of moving to the new market,” one of the protesters was heard lamenting while decrying unfair treatment.
In response to the protest, local authorities, including Bong County Police Commander Fasu Sheriff, County Administrative Officer Sam Elliott, Gbarnga City Mayor Gallah Varpilah, and leaders of the aggrieved marketers held a quick meeting to address the situation. They urged the protesters to leave the grounds of the Gbarnga Administrative as they try to settle the situation.
The local leaders reassured the protesters that they would engage local officials, members of the Bong County Legislative Caucus, and Superintendent Hawa Norris to mediate the conflict.
Following these discussions, the protesters agreed to a three-day timeframe for the authorities to address their concerns.
A mediation session is scheduled for Saturday, November 30, 2024, in Bong County, where further discussions are expected to take place and hopefully lead to a resolution satisfactory to all parties involved.
The controversy stems from prior announcements by local authorities regarding the relocation of vendors to the newly constructed Gbarnga Central Market, initially planned for operation by the end of August.
Although the market was officially dedicated on June 19, 2024, its opening to the public was delayed due to technical issues, leading Vice President Jeremiah Koung, who oversees markets nationwide, to request an extension
Delays in the operationalization of the new market have contributed to the current dispute among the vendors, prompting the need for mediation and dialogue to find a resolution.
