By Peter Kollie
Lofa County-About 600 rural residents of Kpowansonyea Town in Lower Gbarlin Clan, Salayea District, are said to be facing challenges with water, road and healthcare deliveries.
The residents of the remote village want urgent intervention from district authorities and humanitarian organizations to address the critical issues affecting them.
Speaking recently, a prominent member of the town, Washington Sator, highlighted the challenges faced by citizens, especially during the rainy season. He explained that the road from Kpowansonyea to Gbanway Town Junction is nearly impassable due to the poor state of the incomplete WANA Bridge, compelling residents to take longer routes to reach Salayea and Zorzor Districts.
Sator revealed that the town has struggled with bad road conditions for the past two years since a logging company that previously maintained the roads left the region. In response, residents have taken matters into their own hands, forming groups to clear bush and fill potholes along the roads in order to create access for bikes and vehicles plying the road.
“The government and local authorities must intervene before the next rainy season to alleviate these difficulties,” Sator urged.
On the issue of safe drinking water, Washington Sator described the dire situation faced by residents, who are forced to walk 10 minutes into the forest and down a valley to fetch water. The return journey with water can take up to 25 minutes, posing significant challenges, especially for vulnerable groups. He called on the government to install hand pumps and other systems to provide safe drinking water for the town, which he estimates has a population of 600 people.
Sator also disclosed plans to build a modern guest house in Kpowansonyea to accommodate visitors. The community has already gathered some building materials, including zinc, blocks, and steel rods, but additional support is needed to complete the project.
In addition to the lack of infrastructure, the town faces a healthcare crisis. Residents must travel to Kpayaquolleh Town for medical treatment, a situation Sator described as unsustainable.
“We need urgent action to improve our roads, provide safe drinking water, and establish accessible healthcare facilities for the wellbeing of our people,” he concluded.
The citizens of Kpowansonyea Town are appealing for immediate support from the government and humanitarian partners to address these pressing issues.
