By: Konah Rufus
Nearly two years after President Joseph Boakai broke grounds for the construction of the US$150 million Kalawada Park in Marshall City, Margibi County, frustration is mounting among residents as the ambitious project remains untouched.
An investigation by Blaze Daily News has uncovered that despite promises surrounding the high-profile initiative, construction work has not commenced at the site, raising serious concerns about government commitment and accountability.
President Boakai officially launched the project on Friday, October 25, 2024, describing Kalawada Park as a transformative tourism and recreational development aimed at boosting economic activity and creating leisure opportunities for residents, particularly children and families in Marshall.
The Kalawada Recreation Park project was expected to begin October 2024 and be officially dedicated in December 2026. The first phase (Children Playground) would have completed by December 2024.
Strategically located near the mouth of the Farmington River and the Atlantic Ocean, the project was presented as one of the government’s flagship developments, expected to reshape the area and attract investment.
But a recent tour by Blaze FM paints a sharply different picture.
Instead of construction equipment and active development, reporters found an abandoned site now reportedly being used as an open toilet area by some residents living nearby. The scene contrasts sharply with the optimism and excitement that characterized the groundbreaking ceremony.
Residents who spoke to Blaze FM described feelings of disappointment and abandonment, saying the project has become yet another unfulfilled promise.
During interviews at the site, community members recalled how government officials and supporters celebrated the groundbreaking, creating expectations that work would begin shortly afterward.
One resident said minor clearing and preparations were carried out around the time of the president’s visit, giving residents hope that construction was imminent.
“When the president came, they brushed some areas and people were happy,” the resident explained. “But from that day up to now, we have not seen anybody working or heard anything about the project.”
Many residents say the prolonged silence from government has only deepened suspicion and uncertainty.
For some in Marshall, the issue is no longer simply about a delayed park project but about communication and trust.
Residents argue that if challenges have stalled implementation, whether financial, technical, or administrative—the government owes the public an explanation.
The Kalawada Park was promoted as a major recreational and tourism initiative designed to provide playgrounds, leisure facilities, and economic opportunities for surrounding communities. Yet, with no visible progress and no clear public update on the project’s status, many residents are now openly questioning whether the promise will ever be fulfilled.
Critics say groundbreaking ceremonies should not become symbolic political events disconnected from actual implementation.
“People were hopeful because this was presented as something that would change Marshall,” another resident said. “Today, we are only seeing empty land.”
As frustration grows, residents are calling on the government to provide clarity on the future of the US$150 million project and explain why construction has yet to begin despite the expectations raised during the 2024 groundbreaking ceremony.
Up to press time, authorities have not publicly provided detailed information explaining the continued delay at the Kalawada Park site.
