Residents from three cities are threatening to boycott the pending Senatorial by-election in Nimba over alleged neglect and lack of growth of their areas.
By S. Matthew M. Quoi, Jr.
Nimba, Liberia, April 1, 2025 – Residents of Gilipa, Nyenikpala, and Tinsu, Nimba County have introduced their intention to boycott the upcoming April 22, 2025, Senatorial by-election and all subsequent elections in Nimba.
Their resolution stems from what they describe as years of neglect and abandonment by authorities. They’ve labeled authorities’s failure to handle their issues as “diabolical and inhumane.”
In a strongly worded press assertion issued just lately in Gilipa, the aggrieved residents expressed frustration, citing an absence of fundamental infrastructure and important providers. They famous that regardless of being taxpayers and energetic contributors to the county’s growth, their cities have by no means benefited from any government-sponsored tasks.
The affected cities, situated in District #8, Nimba County, collectively have roughly 2,500 residents. The residents lamented that their roads haven’t been rehabilitated for many years, making transportation a frightening problem. They’ve vowed to abstain from voting except their roads are repaired, healthcare services improved, and entry to secure ingesting water supplied.
In accordance with neighborhood leaders, Gilipa, Nyenikpala, and Tinsu have suffered systemic neglect since their institution alongside the St. John Riverbank. They argue that, in contrast to different communities in Nimba County that obtain authorities interventions, they’ve been fully neglected. The street that connects these cities was final developed in 1979 by the late Fulton Dumbah of Bong County. Since then, no effort has been made to enhance or keep it.
The poor street community has had dire of penalties, notably in emergencies. Residents recounted quite a few tragedies which have resulted from inaccessibility of healthcare services. Simply to call a couple of, the late spouse of Phillip P. Suah reportedly fell alongside the Gilipa to Duo Highway whereas searching for medical care after falling in poor health with a fever. She was rushed to Ganta United Methodist Hospital however was pronounced useless upon arrival.
One other tragic case occurred on September 3, 2024, when a pregnant lady in labor misplaced her life whereas making an attempt to succeed in a well being middle by way of the Gilipa to Sokopa street. These incidents underscore the hazards of poor infrastructure within the space.
Past the poor street circumstances, residents proceed to drink water from the St. John River, which serves as a boundary between Nimba and Bong County. They describe this as an ongoing well being disaster, because the river water is commonly contaminated. With out clear ingesting water, the communities are at fixed threat of waterborne ailments.
The residents have made it clear that their persistence has run out. They stress that their cities have existed for many years with out authorities intervention, and so they can now not stay silent.
“If our issues can’t be addressed, we are going to stay steadfast in our resolution and refuse to take part within the 2025 Nimba Senatorial by-election and all future elections as a result of now we have suffered sufficient,” they declared.
They’re calling on the Nimba County native administration and nationwide authorities to prioritize their growth. Regardless of their grievances, they assert their loyalty to Nimba County, rejecting any notion that their Kpalleh ethnicity must be an element of their neglect. They keep that they’re Liberians and deserve equal remedy.
In the meantime, the present lawmaker of District #8, Rep. Saye Sylvester Mianah, has but to reply to issues expressed by his constituents. Gilipa, Nyenikpala, and Tinsu fall beneath his jurisdiction, however he has remained silent on the matter.
Rep. Miannah, who changed Mr. Larry Youhnquoi within the 2023 Normal Elections, has confronted growing criticism from residents of his district. Many accuse him of poor management and lack of tangible contribution to the district’s growth. As the present chair of the Nimba County Legislative Caucus and Chairman of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) on the Home of Representatives, his inaction has fueled frustration amongst residents.
The residents argue {that a} chief main accountability is to handle the issues of his individuals, however word that Mianah has failed in his responsibility. They imagine he must be on the forefront of their advocacy, pushing street rehabilitation, healthcare enchancment, and water entry.
In distinction, Nimba County Superintendent, Madam Kou Meapeh Gono, has acknowledged issues expressed by aggrieved residents. She has assured them that plans are underway to handle their grievances. Whereas she didn’t present a particular timeline, she urged the residents to stay peaceable and affected person because the county administration seeks options.
With the by-election quick approaching, the standoff between the federal government and the residents of Gilipa, Nyenikpala, and Tinsu continues to escalate. The residents stay agency of their demand for growth, refusing to be swayed by mere guarantees. They argue that previous assurances had led to no concrete motion, and this time, they demand outcomes earlier than casting their votes.
The residents’ daring stance has sparked discussions amongst political analysts and civil society organizations. Some argue that their actions may set a precedent for different uncared for communities to demand accountability. Others fear that boycotting elections may result in additional political marginalization, as it might weaken their illustration in authorities.
However, the individuals of Gilipa, Nyenikpala, and Tinsu stay resolute. They insist that their calls for are usually not unreasonable, they’re merely asking for what each citizen deserves: accessible roads, healthcare, and clear ingesting water. Till these fundamental wants are met, they are saying, their votes will stay withheld.
Because the April 22 by-election nears, all eyes can be on Nimba County’s District #8 to see whether or not the federal government will heed the calls for of those aggrieved residents or threat a voter boycott that might have important political implications. For now, the individuals of Gilipa, Nyenikpala, and Tinsu stand united of their struggle for a greater future. Modifying by Jonathan Browne
