ZWEDRU, Grand Gedeh – Deteriorating road conditions, coupled with a heavy downpour of rain is impeding the movement of passengers and goods in eastern Liberia and driving up the cost of living for residents of the region.
A recent trip through southern Nimba, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, and Maryland revealed that travelers along the Monrovia to Harper route routinely spend up to one week in transit.
Because of the intractable mud along some stretches of the road, travelers often dismount their vehicles after every 5-10 minutes’ drive to enable the vehicle to pass through the mud.
Travelers dig through the mud to create a better passageway for their vehicle. Photo: Zeze Ballah
In instances where vehicles become stuck in uninhabited locations, travelers camp out in the dense tropical forest until morning.
The journey often leaves passengers frustrated and weary, and with no recourse as nursing mothers and their children can be seen sleeping in the open.
Travelers gather around the fire in the morning after a night spent sleeping in the open. Photo: Zeze Ballah
Road conditions have worsened such that minibuses and sedans are unable to ply the routes.
A four-wheel drive vehicle is necessary to travel along the road, although even drivers of such vehicles still carry shovels in anticipation of the inevitable.
Even trucks transporting goods struggle to make the journey, causing perishable items such as poultry and dairy products, to rot.
Consequently, the prices of commodities and transportation in Grand Gedeh, River Gee, and Maryland are significantly higher than in Monrovia.
A gallon of gasoline is sold for L$350 (US$3.57), in Zwedru and L$480 (US$4.90) in Harper. That same gallon costs US$2.91 in Monrovia.
Drivers charge L$3,500 (US$35.71) from Monrovia to Zwedru and L$7,000 (US$71.43) from Monrovia to Harper. During the raining season, drivers often charge L$2,500 (US$25.50) from Monrovia to Zwedru and L$4000 (US$40.82) from Monrovia to Harper.
A 25-kilogram bag of rice in Zwedru is sold for L$2,200 (US$22.44) while in Harper it is sold for L$1,900 (US$19.39). In Monrovia, the same bag can be sold for US$15.
The road conditions have made it financially advantageous for marketers in Harper to import rice from Cote d’Ivoire, resulting in the slightly cheaper price.
Motorcyclists plying the routes are benefitting from the difficult road conditions and have also increased their fares. They mostly transport passengers and essential goods.
Visibly frustrated and weary travelers rest by the roadside after their vehicle becomes stuck in the mud. Photo: Zeze Ballah
Local businesses in towns by the road have also taken advantage of the travelers’ misfortunes by increasing the prices of food. A plate of rice with two pieces of meat are being sold for L$250 (US$2.55) while a bag of locally produced mineral water is sold for L$10 (US$0.10), twice the US$0.05 cost at which it is usually sold.
Some community dwellers have set up illegal checkpoints along alternative routes to charge drivers and passengers. At one such checkpoint, sedans and other smaller vehicles were being charged L$300 (US$3.06), while motorcyclists paid L$150 (US$1.53) to access the alternative route.
Travelers attempt to clear water from the road. Photo: Zeze Ballah
Miatta Kesselly, a business woman expressed disappointment that authorities of the three counties (Grand Gedeh, River Gee, and Maryland) had failed to convince government entities to condition the roads for the rainy season.
According to Kesselly, since the departure of the Bangladeshi contingent of the United Nation Mission in Liberia assigned in Grand Gedeh, all the major highways within the country are now in deplorable conditions.
A driver and his passengers struggle to push a vehicle out of the mud. Photo: Zeze Ballah
Kesselly said before the departure of the UNMIL Bangladeshi contingent, they were regularly maintaining the roads and allowing the free flow of goods and persons.
She also expressed frustration in those authorities who promised the people that when elected, they would make sure that the roads are reconditioned. Though she did not name any of the authorities, she said they have failed their people.
“This is the reward from casting our votes for those senators and representatives of these counties,†Kesselly said.
Kesselly said she wondered whether the authorities in the affected counties experienced the same challenges facing their constituents.
Further, Kesselly expressed concern about transporting infirm residents given the state of the roads.
“If there is an emergency case along the routes, how will the ambulance get to the area,†she asked.
A motorcyclist along the road. Photo: Zeze Ballah
James Karmo, the driver of a four-wheel-drive Nissan Patrol SUV who was making a trip to Harper, vowed never again to travel between Nimba, Grand Gedeh and Maryland during the raining season.
During his trip, Karmo said all the money earned would be used to service his vehicle, adding that his vehicle was also burning more fuel because the roads were in such bad shape.
“I wonder whether people living in this part of the country are part of Liberia,†Karmo said.
Featured photo by Zeze Ballah
