By Marka B. Davis
Nimba County-Residents of Electoral District #9 are making a desperate appeal to the Government of Liberia after communities in Yarwein-Mehnsonnoh were seen constructing roads with their bare hands, highlighting what locals describe as years of neglect.
Towns such as Garr and Lantoin have mobilized community labor to manually carve out roadways-work that citizens say should fall under the mandate of the Ministry of Public Works.
With no machines, no funding, and no technical support, villagers are using shovels, hoes, and physical strength to link their communities to surrounding towns.
While several districts-including Districts #1, #2, #6, #7, and #8, have benefited from significant development initiatives such as road rehabilitation, bridge construction, and solar street light installations, District #9 residents say they have been left behind.
Local farmers are among the hardest hit. With roads in poor condition, transporting crops to market often becomes costly, dangerous, or impossible during the rainy season, resulting in financial losses and food waste.
A resident and son of Ganwee Town have issued a public plea to national authorities, calling on the Ministry of Public Works to prioritize the paving of the Yarwein-Mehnsonnoh road corridor.
The proposed route would extend from Gbanquoi, off the Tappita main highway, through Menlah, Ganwee, Karyee, Zekepa, and onward to Tappita City, home of the Jackson F. Doe Memorial Regional Hospital-one of Liberia’s key medical facilities.
“This road is not just for convenience; it is a lifeline,” he said. “Paving it will boost agriculture, ease transportation, strengthen health access, and uplift thousands of citizens who deserve equal development attention.”
Residents argue that while they have shown initiative by beginning the work themselves, the scale of the task far exceeds what manual labor can accomplish.
“The people have done their part with their hands,” the resident added. “It’s time for the government to do its part with its resources.”
Community leaders, farmers, and youth groups continue to call for equitable development across the county, insisting that District #9 should no longer remain on the margins of national infrastructure planning.
Photo credit: Radio Voice of Yarwein-Mehnsonnoh
