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By T. Prince Mulbah/ Zorzor, Lofa County/ 0777833054 | 088716888/t[email protected]
Salayea, Lofa County – A multi-purpose farming group in Salayea District is urgently calling on the government of Liberia to address the critical need for a concrete bridge to connect the Gbarlin clan, a key agricultural hub in the region.
The Gbarlin clan, home to the last remaining mature forest trunk in Salayea District, is also the leading agricultural zone among its neighboring clans. The residents are predominantly engaged in subsistence and cash crop farming, including rice, pepper, bitter ball, plantain, vegetables, cocoa, coffee, palm trees, and fish farming.
However, one significant barrier to the area’s agricultural development is the lack of a proper bridge over the Wandala River, which serves as a vital crossing point for the entire clan. Abraham Barry, head of a farming group in the clan, shared the frustration of the community with the failed promise from Alpha Logging Wood and Processing Company, which was expected to build the bridge as part of a social agreement but never delivered.
“We have been slapped with a failed promise by Alpha Logging,” Barry explained. “They promised to construct a concrete bridge, but the project failed, and we are still struggling with the bridge.”
The existing makeshift log bridge is unsafe, particularly during the rainy season when it is nearly impossible to transport agricultural produce to markets. The unstable structure poses grave risks to pedestrians, with some being stranded in Kpaiyaquelleh Town for up to a week at a time.
“During the rainy season, we are often unable to leave Kpaiyaquelleh and reach the main road for up to a week,” Barry said. The group, which specializes in fish, pepper, bitter ball, and rice farming, has faced significant setbacks due to transportation challenges.
Their fish farming project launched six months ago, has also encountered obstacles, with many fish lost in the mud due to insufficient harvesting tools and knowledge.
Despite these challenges, the farming group is trying to pivot toward lowland farming to preserve the forest and practice climate-smart agriculture. However, the lack of transportation infrastructure has significantly limited their ability to sell their produce at fair prices. Barry lamented, “We sometimes sell our pepper and bitter ball for between $2,500 to 3,500 Liberian dollars when we can’t reach the market.”
The Gbarlin clan, known as the breadbasket of Salayea District due to its high agricultural output, remains unable to fully realize its economic potential due to the dire road situation. Barry and the farmers of the Gbarlin clan are calling on the government to intervene by constructing a concrete bridge to connect Gbongay and Kpaiyaquelleh towns, which would also benefit other towns in the region.
“We want the government of Liberia to speedily intervene in our road challenge situation by constructing a concrete bridge,” Barry concluded, expressing hope that the government will address their plea and help unlock the agricultural potential of the area.
The farmers are optimistic that a solution to the transportation woes will lead to greater economic growth, improved market access, and a stronger agricultural sector for the region.
