By Solomon T. Gaye
Joint Security assigned at the main port of entry in Ganta, has said the slow movement of people and cross-border trade is hampering the smooth running of the Ganta-Guinea border in Bain- Garr District, Nimba County.
Speaking to this paper at the border in Ganta, Joint Security officers disclosed that the deplorable road condition of the Liberia-Guinea border is creating hardship on the business community engaged in cross-border trades.
Ganta’s main port of entry contains seven local ports beside the main border that are reportedly vulnerable without State security presence, and sometimes used by unscrupulous business people to smuggles goods in or out of the country.
There are five major border crossing points in Nimba County, including Ganta, Yekepa, Loguatuo, Gborplay, and Buutuo, out of which the Ganta and Loguatuo borders are major trade routes to the country. The Ganta main border is among borders designated by the government (LRA) for used vehicles dealers to enter into the country, but, since it was instituted, the 2023 LRA mandate is reportedly in limbo.
Speaking on behalf of marketers in Ganta, Martha Saye said security harassment by Guinea soldiers on the Guinean side of the border, coupled with bad road, is among contributing factors to the slow movement at the border.
“From Ganta to Guinea’s first town in D’keke, every gate is 5,000 Guinea Francs paid to the soldiers; if you don’t pay, the soldiers seize your goods,” Martha lamented.
For her part, a LIS officer revealed that security harassment in the name of gate drop by Guinean security is creating hardship for travelers passing through Guinea to enter into the country.
When this paper contacted the Senior Customs Collector, Wolubah Selma, via mobile phone, he confirmed that the slow movement and the low revenue generation by the government at the Ganta port of entry has significantly affected the smooth operation of the border.
“The bad road from the Guinean side of the border is contributing to low income in terms of revenue collection, as many used cars are not coming to the Liberian side of the border. This was one main source of income at the border,” Selma disclosed.
