GBARNGA, Bong County – Residents of Bong County Electoral District 5 are expected to benefit from improved access to healthcare and education following the procurement of an ambulance and a student bus by Representative Eugine J.M. Kollie, a move many community members describe as a direct response to some of the district’s most persistent challenges.
By Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpaeafrionline.com
The vehicles, which are expected to be officially turned over to beneficiaries in the coming weeks, represent the latest phase of Representative Kollie’s efforts to address critical service gaps affecting residents in both urban and rural communities.
Local leaders have long highlighted transportation difficulties as a major obstacle to accessing medical care and educational opportunities, particularly for residents living in remote parts of the district.
The newly acquired ambulance is expected to provide emergency transportation services for patients requiring urgent medical attention. Health practitioners within the district have repeatedly emphasized the need for reliable medical transport, noting that many patients often face delays in reaching hospitals and clinics because of inadequate transportation options.
The student bus, meanwhile, is expected to benefit students attending Cuttington University and several other educational institutions within District 5.
For years, transportation costs and the lack of dependable commuting options have posed challenges for students and their families. The new bus is expected to ease those burdens and help create a more supportive learning environment for young people pursuing higher education.
Speaking about the initiative, Representative Kollie said the decision to procure the vehicles stemmed from concerns consistently raised by residents during community engagements throughout the district. According to him, citizens frequently pointed to transportation as a major barrier affecting their ability to access essential services.
“Throughout my interactions with residents, one concern that continued to surface was the difficulty people face in moving from one place to another to access important services,” Kollie said. “Whether it is a patient trying to get to a health facility or a student trying to reach school, transportation remains a serious challenge. These vehicles are intended to help address those concerns and improve the quality of life for our people.”
The lawmaker noted that the ambulance project was particularly inspired by stories from families who struggled to secure transportation during medical emergencies. He said hearing accounts of patients being delayed on their way to healthcare facilities reinforced the need for immediate intervention.
“There are moments when every minute matters in saving a life,” he stated. “When families are unable to transport sick relatives to hospitals because of transportation constraints, the consequences can be devastating. The ambulance is our effort to ensure that residents have access to timely medical transportation when emergencies occur.”
Representative Kollie also stressed the importance of investing in education, describing the student bus as a strategic intervention designed to support academic achievement and reduce transportation-related difficulties confronting students.
“Our young people deserve every opportunity to succeed,” he said. “Many students travel long distances under difficult circumstances just to pursue their education. By providing transportation support, we are helping to remove one of the barriers that often stands in the way of academic success.”
Community members have welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important contribution to local development. Several residents noted that transportation remains one of the district’s most pressing concerns and expressed optimism that the vehicles will provide meaningful relief to families, students, and healthcare providers.
The procurement of the ambulance and student bus follows a series of development interventions undertaken by Representative Kollie since assuming office. Earlier this year, he donated a 40-foot container of assorted medical supplies to Phebe Hospital and other health facilities in the district, a contribution aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and improving access to essential medical resources.
