Zorzor District Commissioner Outlines Plans for Unused Maternal Waiting Home

By: Peter Kollie| Lofa County Correspondent

Zorzor, Lofa County –Wednesday, October 1, 2025-Zorzor District Commissioner Paul Kalama has disclosed plans for the long-abandoned maternal waiting home in Zorzor District, which was constructed during the administration of former President George Weah.

The facility, which consists of four apartments, was intended to host pregnant women in their final months of pregnancy (8–9 months) until delivery. However, since its completion, the building has remained unused, raising concerns among citizens who continue to question the district’s plan for the facility.

Community members have also expressed dissatisfaction that the waiting home is situated far from Curran Hospital, the primary referral health facility in the area. Despite being built to serve women, it has stood idle for year without any operational purpose.

Speaking recently, Commissioner Kalama explained that last year, he initiated discussions with the District Health Officer to put the apartments to use. He revealed that his office often spends significant funds to accommodate visitors to the district, and the facility could help ease such burdens if occupied. Unfortunately, his efforts yielded no results.

Kalama further disclosed that citizens of Yeala Town once attempted to hand over the facility to a private individual, claiming the land belonged to them. He, however, intervened, stressing that the building is government property and cannot be handed over without official approval.

More recently, a community-based group known as Gamata approached the commissioner with a proposal to use the building to generate revenue for the district. According to Kalama, the group agreed to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for consideration by the Zorzor District Council.

However, when the MOU was presented, it stated that Gamata would assume control of three of the buildings, leaving only one under district management. Kalama said he rejected the arrangement, emphasizing that the facility was originally constructed for pregnant women under the Ministry of Health and cannot be turned into a private asset.

“The purpose of these buildings was for expectant mothers. If we give control of three to a private entity and the district keeps just one, then it no longer belongs to the government,” Kalama stated.

He also rejected Gamata’s condition that they maintain control of the facility for ten years, with a six-month notice required to terminate the agreement.

Kalama assured residents that the district will ensure the maternal waiting home remains under government protection until proper arrangements are made in line with its original purpose.