GANTA, Nimba – The hotly debated idea to create multiple counties out of Nimba has finally surfaced at the Liberian Legislature.

Rep. Sam Kogar of Nimba’s fifth district has disclosed that his office has received a petition calling for the division of Nimba. He said the petitioners largely originated from lower and central Nimba and wanted to “ensure that development reaches to the people faster.”

Kogar said the petitioners noted that the division of the county is necessary because of the county’s increasing population growth.

“This petition insists that there should be Lower Nimba County, Central Nimba County, and Upper Nimba County,” he said. “Lower Nimba County will be comprised of Kpablee, Tappita, and Yarwin-Mesonnoh, and as well as Gbi and Doru.”

He added that the petitioners asked that Central Nimba be comprised of Zoegeh Statutory District and Saclepea-Mahn Statutory District, while Gbelay-geh and Sanniquellie-Mahn Statutory Districts would be considered Upper Nimba.

The petition pointed out that, despite a large land mass and population, Nimba continues to suffer from underdevelopment in terms of road connectivity, infrastructure, and human resources. The petitioners also noted that the people affected the most are those residing in the central and lower parts of the county.

Kogar said though he has received the petition, he will not act upon it until consultations are done with his constituents.

“I cannot say right now whether I am in favor of the petition or not—it is the citizens that need to decide, and we will follow their decision,” he said.

The Nimba lawmaker said the petition to divide the county remains the constitutional right of the people, as prescribed in Article 17 of the Constitution.

“If you read also Article 34a of the Constitution, it also gives power to the representatives to create counties, new boundaries, and etc,” he added. “I think the citizens in their own minds were very much objective, and that’s why they [gave] me their petition.”

Despite the petitioners’ aim of pursuing better development, Nimba remains one of the more developed counties in Liberia. The 2016 Household Income and Expenditure Survey ranked Nimba as having the fifth highest literacy rate of the 15 counties. Nimba also has the sixth lowest rate of poverty, and is an agricultural powerhouse, being first in the production of rice and cassava.

Featured photo by Nimba Future Generation