By Solomon T. Gaye
/NIMBA
Reports gathered by the Inquirer from Sanniquellie, Nimba County, say tension has broken out between the Liberia Marketing Association(LMA) and Superintendent Kou Gono over the relocation of the Sanniquellie Government Market.
Speaking on behalf of marketers in Sanniquellie, Workardiah Bontaye, accused Superintendent Gono for her abrupt decision relocate the market outside of the city; an action which is unacceptable by the marketeers.
According to Bontaye, Superintendent Gono also ordered the demolition of the market at Lake Teleh without prior notice to marketeers.
“Superintendent Gono is using her political power by relocating the market on Karnplay highway which is about five miles away from the main street in Sanniquellie,” some marketeers stated.
Some of the marketeers spoken to, further complained stating, ” Many of us selling here don’t have money to pay L$150 every day in the week to go to the market therefore we want the relocation to be in any one of the communities in Sanniquellie.”
Since the beginning of 2025, cordial working relationship between the authorities of the LMA and Superintendent Kou Gono has turned sour over the abrupt relocation of the general market from Sanniquellie.
When the Inquirer contacted the County Administrative Officer, Daniel Zekpeh, via mobile phone, he remained tight-lipped on the issue, on grounds that he just returned from home on a family funeral and referred the paper to the county communication officer, Amos Kpanada for details.
Communication Officer Amos Kpanada couldn’t be reached for comments because his mobile phone was switched off up to press time.
Resenting the LMA’s position on the matter via mobile phone, the local marketing superintendent, Winifred Guah, disclosed that the decision to relocate the market from Sanniquellie to Sehkenpah is worrisome among the marketers.
The contentious issue, according to the LMA’s president Guah, is that the designated site for the relocation is far away from Sanniquellie; costing L$150 for a one way transportation fare on a motorbike.
“We are still discussing the issue at the county level yet and if we can’t get justice, we will inform LMA’s central office in Monrovia for further advise,” Superintendent Guah sai.
