Liberia: Tension Brews in Nimba County District #7

Tension is said to be gradually brewing in District #7, Nimba County, amid reports of a plot being orchestrated by some youth of the district to destroy equipment that are being used to construct feeder roads in the area. 

The young people, who hail from Gbeyee Chiefdom, a section of the district, reportedly threatened to burn the equipment, mainly yellow machines, that belong to the Bility Development Foundation (BDF), a local firm that is carrying on the rehabilitations of feeder roads across the district.

The group, headed by Eric Gonleyea, a prominent youth leader, has since denied the allegation. 

BDF was founded and run by businessman turned politician, Musa Hassan Bility, who is contesting for the district seat in the upcoming presidential and legislative elections.

 Bility’s presence in the area is not only causing uneasiness among some stakeholders according to reports, it has since made the district tense. 

A prominent supporter of Bility’s political ambition, Metrice Gontee, recently accused one Eric Gonleyea of plotting to set the road building equipment ablaze as a means of obstructing the development initiative of  Bility, and by extension weakening his base.

Upon the request of citizens of Yarwin Mehnsonnoh through a communication, Gontee disclosed that BDF moved in to extend the road rehabilitation work to the communities. “So BDF decided to extend the road rehabilitation work to towns and villages in Yarwin Mehnsonnoh,” Gontee said. “But almost a week into the road work, we received calls that some youth from Gbeyee Chiefdom in District 7, headed by Eric Gonleyea are planning to set the machines ablaze.”

He said the angry youth had alleged that the Bility team was using the road work to truck voters from Yarwin Mehnsonnoh, which is in District 9 to register in District 7.

“With these threats, we pulled back our equipment to Saclepea from where we will continue our road work across District 7,” he said.

Gonleyea has denied all the allegations against him, noting that he stands firm to defend himself anywhere the matter is taken.

He challenged the Bility Group, especially the main accuser, Gontee, to prove his claims.

Eric Gonleyea is said to be a staunch supporter of the incumbent lawmaker of the district, Rep. Roger Domah. Gonleyea is also the youth leader of Gbeyi Loleawon, a sectional organization of Gbeyi Citizens operating in urban Liberia.

Since Mr. Bility declared his intention to contest, his foundation has been carrying on series of development initiatives, including opening of alleys across Saclepea City, rehabilitation of feeder roads across the district and as well as donation of two brand pickup to the city mayors of Bahn and Saclepea, respectively.

His political ambition is said to be garnering traction and momentum owing to the development activities he is undertaking. But this has led to supporters of Bility’s rivals, especially those from the camp of the current representative Roger Domah, creating a tense environment leading to war of words and sometimes fist fights.

Gbeyi Chiefdom is the home chiefdom of Representative Roger Domah, while Musa Bility's mother is from Mao, an ethnic Mano settlement in the same district.

Nimba District 7, comprises two large settlements, including Bahn and Saclepea. It also includes two administrative districts, including Wee -Gbeyi, and Zoe -Gbao, respectively.