The price of a 25kg bag of rice has increased from L$ 1150 to L$ 1600 in cities and towns beyond Ganta because of what commuters considered the poor condition of road on the main highway.
The condition of the road, especially about 3.5 km from Ganta is very deplorable with several commercial and private vehicles stuck in the mud causing serious traffic congestion.
Mr. Sam Kouh says, “because of this kind of bad road you looking at, I was not able to cross so I was force to ride on motorcycle.”
“The road condition is causing serious shortages of basic goods around Tappita, Saclapea, Bahn as well as other towns and villages around Ganta,” said one of the local traders.
The bad road condition has caused transportation fares from Ganta to Tappita to go up to L$ 1200 from L$ 600 recently,” he added.
The bad road condition has also stalled movement from Ganta to Sanniquellie answer as far as the Loguatuo border in the Gbehlay Geh District.
“When will we have good road in this country?” cried Ma Nancy, a plantain seller.
“Last year, we encountered this same road problem causing us to sustain great loses and it is still happening,” she added.
However, the UNMIL Bangladeshi Engineering battalion known as BANENGR 17 had begun some rehabilitation works on the Ganta – Saclepea road to ease movement.
LT. Col. MD Monirul Hague, Contingent Commander of BANENGR 17 said, "we have been working for few days to ensure that this Ganta – Tappita road becomes accessable again.”
“We have our men working in three different locations along this highway; Ganta to Saclapea, Saclapea to Tappita and Tappita toward Grand Gedeh.
“If the UNMIL continues with their good works tension will ease on our people this raining season, said Mother Comfort Gaye of Tappita.
Besides the Ganta – Tappita highway, the road between Ganta and Gbarnga is said to be under bad condition and continues to worsen.
Harrison Wongbay, a store owner in Ganta and member of Ganta Trade Union proclaims, “Nimba County comes second in revenue collection in Liberia and in terms of food production again, Nimba is number one. So [we don't understand] why this piece of road between here and Gbarnga cannot be rehabilitated.”
“Because of this piece of road, he added, “truck owners are charging heavy fees to transport our goods to Nimba from Monrovia.”
