Lofa: Residents alarm over deplorable conditions of farm-to-market roads

By J. Mason Kollie

Several residents of Lower Lofa County including scores of farmers, particularly in the Gbandi Chiefdom, Lukamba , Wanhassa, and Vahun Districts, have alarmed over what they call deplorable conditions of farm-to-market roads in their areas.

The Lower Lofa residents are appealing to the Government of Liberia (GoL) through the Ministry of Public Works to urgently pay attention to farm-to-market roads in these affected areas.

Many of the farmers residing in Massabolahun Town and Vahun District, told Rural Reporters News Network (RRNN) in recent telephone interviews that there is an increase in agricultural production in Lower Lofa County, especially in Lukamba, Wanhassa, Vahun and Foya Statutory Districts, but that they are encountering challenges in transporting their produce from various farms to the markets, due to deplorable road conditions in these areas.

The farmers made specific reference to hilly terrains in Sosomolahun, Fagonda, and Massabolahun, located Wanhassa District, narrating that these are major trouble-spots in the Lower Lofa road network.

They lamented that if these trouble-spots are not urgently rehabilitated; they fear that roads in these areas may soon become impassable, as the rains intensify.

When contacted, Lofa County District #2 lawmaker in the House of Reps, Julie Fatoma-Weah, acknowledged the farmers’ concerns about deplorable road conditions within Lower Lofa.

However, Rep Fatoma-Weah disclosed that the matter has already been communicated to the Ministry of Public Works to act accordingly.

“The issue of roads in those areas is a serious concern to all including myself because I travel on the road to visit my district,” Rep Fatoma-Weah told RRNN in an interview, adding; “So we are talking to the Public Works people, and I’m sure work will start soon during the dry season because you know the people can’t work actively during the rainy season.”