By Moses M. Tokpah
-Margibi (freelance)
Residents of Kakata City, Margibi County have decried what they termed bad road conditions in their areas.
The Kakata residents through a group identified as ‘Citizens United For Sustainable Development’ reportedly petitioned the local administration of the county on Tuesday, January 7, 2024, and further presented the same to the Margibi Legislative Caucus, President Pro-tempore of the Liberian Senate, the Ministry of Public Works and the Internal Affairs Minister.
In the petition statement signed by officials of the group led by a former representative candidate of District 3, Margibi County, Sandy Saye Johnson, the Kakata residents said the roads in Kakata, particularly the Old and New 14th roads are in a state of disrepair characterized by potholes, cracks, gulley erosion, and uneven surface, among others.
According to them, these deteriorating conditions have persisted for over 30 years with little or no significant improvement.
The Kakata residents asserted that they witnessed two groundbreaking ceremonies in Kakata and saw yellow machines in the area during the regime of former President Weah to commence the pavement of the roads, but almost all the machines disappeared overnight while some were abandoned at the current site around the smith and son building leaving the work undone.
They maintained that Gompa, Gbarnga, Buchanan, and Voinjama are far from Monrovia are boasting of the pavement of more community roads while Kakata is next door to Monrovia with more concession companies, is in dying need of sustainable developments such as paved roads.
The residents mentioned that the deplorable conditions of these roads are posing significant risks to the lives of motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians while frequent accidents including fatalities have been reported.
They added that economically, the degraded roads are hindering the efficient movement of goods and services resulting in higher transportation costs, delays, and loss of income for local businesses.
Environmentally, the inhabitants explained that the wear and tear of the roads are contributing to increased vehicle emissions and fuel consumption, exacerbating environmental pollution.
They said the deterioration of the roads is making it difficult for emergency vehicles to access critical services, such as hospitals especially in the case of accidents or natural disasters, adding that dust pollution in the air is leading to respiratory dysfunction.
They are meanwhile calling upon the national and local government to halt any grading of roads without asphalt pavement or concrete pavement along the two roads as it has been speculated, and take immediate action to address their petition within four working days from the day of the submission of the petition.
The Kakata residents are further demanding that the government rehabilitate and pave the roads with asphalt or concrete pavement to ensure a safe and reliable transportation network, allocate sufficient funding and resources for the timely completion of the road network, and regularly maintain the paved roads to ensure they remain in good condition for the long-term benefit of the public.
They believe that the rehabilitation and paving of the roads in Kakata will significantly enhance public safety, improve economic activities, and contribute to the well-being of the entire community.
They urged the national government to prioritize this ‘vital’ infrastructure project and provide them with the necessary support to ensure that their roads are safe and efficient for all users.