Over 30 towns lack safe drinking water in Nimba

Over 30 towns and villages in District 17, Nimba County are said to be without safe drinking water.

Residents of the affected arrears told The NewDawn correspondent in Nimba due to the lack of drinking water, they fetch water from nearby creeks and the St. John River between Liberia and the Republic of Guinea to drink.

The Town Chief for Garr Busie, Phabe lNya Ben, said since the Ebola crisis last year up to now, the citizens have been drinking from creeks and the St. John River, which has caused them experience severe stomach pains and other water borne diseases.

Chief Ben said the town has over 112 houses with a population of more than 4,000 residents, majority of them children.

He said two hand pumps in the town, are currently not in good condition also recounting the ordeal, Chief Ezekiel Nyakpoar of Gar Whipa said his town faces similar fate. Citizens of the affected towns are appealing to government to execute a quick impact project to restore safe drinking to their arrears.

According to our correspondent, among districts with water problem in the country include two, three, four, five, six, seven and nine except District #8 where citizens have access to safe drinking water.
Meanwhile, citizens of Electoral District# 8 have praised their Representative, Larry Younquoi for providing them safe drinking water.

When contacted, Representative Younquoi said the initiative is aimed at improving the water situation in his district, which will eventually improve the living condition of the citizens. He said water is life therefore, it is important that citizens have access to safe drinking water.

Representative Younquoi called on fellow lawmakers in the county to do something that will impact lives of their people, especially safe drinking water, reminding that it is the people who elected them.

A 60-year-old mother in Electoral District#8 said Representative Larry Younquoi made it possible for her children to enroll in school by constructing school buildings throughout the district, including water.

Madam Kou Dolo noted that some of the towns had been without school for over 40 years. By Franklin Doloquee, Nimba – Editing by Jonathan Browne