BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa – Residents of Nyuaniwein clan in Grand Bassa’s first electoral district have benefited from a clinic said to have been constructed by the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Hans M. Barchue.

The US$50,000 clinic is in Binda Quaye Town and appears to be in fulfillment of a campaign promise made in 2011.

The clinic comprises of five bedrooms, a waiting room, a nursing quarter, among other features. The clinic’s construction means that there are now three clinics constructed in Worr Administrative District, which has two chiefdoms and five clans. The two other clinics (in John Logan Town and Jacob Larteh Town) were constructed with government funds.

Speaking at the dedicatory ceremony, Barchue explained the delay in building the clinic since his promise was made six years earlier.

‘’The construction of the clinic started two years ago, but [was] delayed due to the contractor’s slowness to get it done on time,” he said.

Deputy Speaker Barchue addresses residents of Nyuaniwein clan. Photo: Sampson David

As Barchue campaigns for reelection, the clinic’s dedication seems especially useful.

“Everyday people spoiling my name that I have not done anything in this place, which is not true, I have done a lot of things here,” the lawmaker told attendee at the dedication ceremony.

He said he had made many contributions in the district including road rehabilitation, donating bundles of roofing sheets, and training over 20 women in tie-dying.

“I sent some of your children to driving school in Kakata and they ran away,” he added. “There are lots of things I have done here including personal initiative; let somebody challenge me.”

Barchue also told residents he was willing to pay for someone from the area to attend medical school to head the clinic.

A senior elder of the clan, Joseph Kollie, thanked Barchue for the clinic, describing it as a great relief.

“We have been suffering here for [a] long time,” he said. “We can cross this big river before we get medicine. As you can see, the river is full now. Sometimes, it can be more than this, but we can still cross it because sometimes [pregnant] women can be in pain and we can’t keep them here.”

He also assured Barchue that the residents would take ownership of the clinic, which was turned over to government and is expected to open shortly.

The construction of the clinic is expected to bring relief to residents who usually cross the Farmington River to seek treatment in Kakata.

The town is situated along the banks of the Farmington River, close to Kakata in Margibi. Patients are usually carried in hammocks from other parts of the district to the crossing point at Binda Quaye Town and later crossed in canoes to Kakata. However, crossing becomes more dangerous during the rainy season.

Featured photo by Sampson David