Written by: Mac Samah, Nimba County
Ganta, Nimba County – As a result of heavy down pour of rain for several days in Nimba County, the St. John River which bounds Liberia and the Republic of Guinea over flowed its bank on September 10 and caused massive destruction to homes and properties in Ganta City and other parts of the county.
Genneyeeluu community and the Ganta Port of Entry were the worst affected areas. Buildings were deep in the flood up to the window levels in some places while residents in the communities struggled with their belongings to find safety zones for survival.
A resident regretted buying land near the St. John River. “I will tell this wicked landlord to relocate me so that my family will not die in cold blood in this slump. He should have informed us before selling this area to us,” he cried.
However, residents of the community are calling on NGOs, government and sympathizers to come to their aid because they left their homes without taking anything. Most of the houses in the area are made of mud bricks (mud-to-mud in common Liberian English) and may soon collapse if the flood does not dry off in coming days.
At the Ganta Port of Entry, over 100 disappointed traders and commuters returned to their various destinations due to the inaccessibility of the bridge linking Liberia and the Republic of Guinea. Normal business dealings at the border had been at a complete standstill due to the flood on Thursday, September 10.
Framers Affected
According to reports from the north-eastern part of the county, agricultural farms in the area have been totally destroyed along the bank of St. John River and its tributaries. Rice, vegetables and cassava are crops worst affected.
But there is no report of human casualties on both sides of the border.