By: Emmanuel Tobotinho Quiah
Monrovia-Poor road conditions and prolonged transportation delays are disrupting commercial activities in parts of Grand Kru County, contributing to a recent rice shortage in Buah Geeken and Jlatiken and leaving local traders grappling with damaged goods and rising business costs.
Traders in the area say deplorable road conditions along the River Gee–Geeken corridor and the road linking Buah Iron Bridge to Norkwia have significantly slowed the movement of commercial vehicles, with some trucks reportedly spending between two to three weeks transporting goods to their destinations.
The delays have raised concerns among residents and business operators over the reliable supply of essential commodities, particularly rice, Liberia’s staple food.
Zayzay Togba, a businessman operating in Buah Geeken, said residents of Buah Geeken and Jlatiken recently experienced a rice shortage in September and now continuing, highlighting the difficulties communities face when transportation routes become impassable or severely degraded.
Another well known business man, Washington D. Senyon, said the prolonged journeys expose merchandise to damage while increasing transportation expenses and reducing traders’ ability to conduct business efficiently.
Alphonso Nynneh, also reported that 25 bags of sugar and other merchandise were damaged during transportation, resulting in losses he attributed to the difficult road conditions.
The traders also expressed concern about ongoing government rehabilitation work along the River Gee–Geeken corridor, saying the work has further complicated the movement of commercial vehicles and contributed to transportation challenges.
According to the business operators, moving goods from Monrovia through Pleebo in Maryland County and onward to Barclayville and Geeken requires additional logistical arrangements, increasing the time and money needed to deliver merchandise.
They warned that continued transportation difficulties could result in further financial losses for businesses while making essential commodities more difficult to obtain in affected communities.
The traders are therefore calling on the government and relevant authorities to urgently address the road conditions and improve the coordination of rehabilitation activities to facilitate the movement of goods.
They said improved road access would help reduce transportation delays, protect merchandise from damage, ease the burden on local businesses, and ensure a more reliable supply of essential commodities to residents of Buah Geeken, Jlatiken, and surrounding communities.
As transportation challenges persist, residents and traders are looking to the relevant authorities for lasting solutions to the road problems affecting commerce and access to basic necessities in the county.
As of the time of publication, the Grand Kru local government officials are yet to issues an official statement about the deplorable roads conditions affecting businesses in Grand Kru.
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