GBI AND DORU, Nimba – Residents of Gbi and Doru, a district in the southernmost part of Nimba, are renewing calls for the government to address the poor road conditions in that part of the county.

David Toe, district inspector of Gbi and Doru, David Toe told a local reporter that the impassable roads caused by the particularly wet rainy season is creating drug shortages at health centers across the district. He said it has also added to the increased cost of basic commodities. Toe called on the central government address the situation, as he said things were getting worse each day.

“The problem that we have now is the condition of the road in our district,” he said. “Food’s getting expensive more than any other thing—the ordinary citizens are facing problems.” T

Toe said it is now common practice for patients to be referred to drug stores to purchase their medications after they are diagnosed, instead of being provided the drugs within the health facility.

To ease the challenge on citizens accessing health facilities across the district, Toe said a 21 room clinic is nearing completion in Tiah’s Town, in addition to the existing facility in Glan’s Town. He said after its completion, the clinic will be turned over to the government to operate it. Meanwhile, he said, access to healthcare remains a challenge in the district.

“We are asking [the] central government to please pay attention to the people, because health is one of the first priorities—health and education,” Toe said.

Residents of Gbi and Doru have long complained of being marginalized by the Nimba County Administration. They have noted that they benefit little from resources meant for the county, especially the County Social Development Funds. Because of this and other factors, residents of the district interact more with nearby River Cess than the rest of Nimba. In the past, they have suggested their district being annexed to River Cess, to which they have easier access.

In the recent debate on splitting Nimba into multiple counties, some proponents have suggested that creating a Lower Nimba that includes Gbi and Doru and surrounding areas will hasten development in the area.

However, majority of Nimba residents still support a united Nimba. Two petitions have been submitted to the Nimba County Legislative Caucus on either side of the issue.

Featured photo by Arrington Ballah