A Verity News investigation has uncovered a worsening health and environmental crisis in the heart of Karnga Island, Topoe Village Community, located in Gardnerville Township.
Residents say the situation is being ignored by both government officials and powerful business interests.
At the center of the controversy is the Abi Jaoudi Company, whose expansive frozen food storage facility, known as (TRH), has allegedly turned this once-livable community into a flood-prone zone plagued by disease and environmental degradation.
A Facility Built on a Public Alley
Residents alleged that Abi Jaoudi constructed the TRH facility directly on a public alleyway, a critical drainage route that historically allowed rainwater to flow safely out of the community.
Now, with the alley blocked, floodwaters collect in stagnant pools after every rainfall. Roads are submerged, homes are surrounded by murky water, and daily life has become a struggle for survival.
“The alley used to channel rainwater out of the community,” said Madam Yatta Morris, Chairlady of the Karnga Island community. “But since this company was built on top of it, the water has nowhere to go. Now we’re forced to live in flooded homes and cross rivers using floaters. This is not how human beings are supposed to live.”
Madam Morris added that community members have made numerous attempts to seek help from authorities, but their complaints have been consistently ignored.
“We’ve tried everything, written letters, held meetings, reached out to local leaders, but nothing has been done. It feels like we’ve been abandoned.”
A Growing Health Crisis
The persistent flooding has created a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects.
Residents report rising cases of skin infections, diarrhea, and other illnesses, particularly among vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.
Even more disturbing, residents say raw sewage is being discharged directly into the stagnant floodwaters, intensifying the health hazard.
“This water is not safe,” said one resident. “If you stay in it even briefly, your skin starts to itch. We’re constantly sick, children, old people, everyone. And the smell alone is unbearable.”
Due to the lack of a functional sewage system, some residents are forced to flush toilets into the water only every few days, creating a toxic mix of human waste and rainwater that spreads unchecked through the community.
Dark Ties and Lingering Suspicions
This is not the first time the TRH facility has come under public scrutiny. In 2022, it was allegedly linked to Liberia’s infamous $100 million drug bust, a case that shocked the nation but has since faded from public attention with few, if any, consequences.
While Abi Jaoudi was never formally charged, suspicion around the company’s activities continues to cast a shadow.
“This is not just about a building,” said a local youth leader. “It’s about our lives. It’s about whether we matter. We can’t keep living in sewage and sickness while a big company profits next door.”
Government Inaction and Community Desperation
Despite repeated pleas for intervention, residents say no action has been taken by the Gardnerville Township administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or the Ministry of Public Works.
Environmental advocates argue that the situation is part of a broader trend of environmental injustice and unchecked corporate power in Liberia.
“The Karnga Island case is a textbook example of environmental injustice,” said environmental activist Emmanuel Gbelee. “No company should be allowed to build on public infrastructure in a way that endangers lives. This is a violation of basic human rights.”
A National Call to Action
The residents of Karnga Island are now appealing directly to national authorities, including the EPA, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Works, and the Office of the President, to investigate and take urgent corrective action.
“We are not animals. We are citizens of this country. We deserve clean water, safe homes, and respect for our lives,” Madam Morris said.
As Liberia enters the peak of the rainy season, the crisis in Karnga Island grows even direr.
For residents living in waterlogged, disease-ridden conditions, each day is a battle for survival, and they are demanding that their voices no longer be ignored.
