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Liberia: Citizens of Belle District celebrate as road enters Belle Yella
Dec 30, 2009
by Michael Kpayili / Staff Writer
Thank God for Ma Ellen
Camp Belle Yella in the past was considered the most infamous prison center for notorious criminals and those critical of sitting government.
Located in the remotest part of Gbarpolu County in Western Liberia, Belle Yella maximum prison center was established in early 1900’s to detain solidified criminals as well as agonized opposition politicians who rebelled against government in the past.
The prison compound was built very deep into the high Belle forest in order to detest prisoners from escaping once incarcerated at the compound. Priosners were blindfolded and airlifted to the site by military aircrafts.
Barely one year ago, Liberia’s President Ellen Johnosn Sirleaf assured the former paramount Chief of the District, Oldma Jallah Leone that she was going to spend the Christmas with them at the one time, terrified city.
In order to make the President mandate come to actuality, the Minister of Public Works under the energetic leadership of Samuel Kofi Woods worked assiduously to bring the dream of not only the President, but the people of Bella Yella forest to reality.
The over 40 mile road started not only from Bopolu but Brewerville to Bella Yella. The task was enormous certainly but the result electrifying.
The citizens of Bella District are peasant farmers who live simply on the cultivation of rice, plantain and hunting. The nonappearance of motor roads in the district has contributed unconstructively to the development of the area and the successful implementation of the four pillars of the country’s Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS). The PRS is being implemented between April 1, 2009 and June 30, 2011.
The four pillars of the PRS include enhancing peace and national security, governance and the rule of law, economic revitalization and rehabilitation of infrastructures and delivery of Basic Social services.
Prior to the road construction in Bella Yella, the area had no link with the rest of the country as the nearest town is 25 miles away. Citizens walked over three days to reach Bopolu, the capital city of Gbarpolu to buy some basic things for survival.
Public Works Minister Samuel Kofi Woods though happy about the completion of the road appeared very tired after spending over five days in the high forest to ensure that the road is completed on time.
Citizens of the area especially towns nearest Bella Yella collectively thanked Minister Woods for the road and also spending five days in the high forest with them. Old lady Nowee Jallah of Fokpa Town, twelve (12) miles from Belle Yella Town, undoubtedly in the 80’s attempted lifting Minister Woods on her back as indication of her happiness for the road but her strength could not have permitted her quest. She disclosed through an interpreter that it was her first time to see car moving from place to place. She later burst out into tears after minutes of jubilation thanking God for President Sirleaf for her kindheartedness and love for all Liberians.
The road to Bella Yella marks a vital point in fulfilling the government’s promise to carry out a comprehensive development of the country through the implementation of the PRS.
Living condition for ordinary citizens in Bella Yella seems not too different from others in different part of the country except for the economic improvement of inhabitants in the area.
Road network from all indication create the improvement and development of education as well as commercial activities. The price of rice and plantain up to the time of the opening of the road was three time less as compare to Monrovia. Educational condition in the Bella District was far less with unqualified teachers volunteering to serve with the little knowledge acquired.
The prison compound now dilapidated is expected to be transformed into a national museum where past activities within the compound will be documented for future history. Among famous politicians detained and tortured at the prison compound were former leader of the Liberia Action Party (LAP), Jackson Doe, now deceased; Christian Herbert; leader of the Liberia Unification party (LUP), Gabriel William Kpolleh, now deceased; Edward Kesselly of the Unity Party and former student leaders of the University of Liberia.
Giving praises to the Almighty God for the success of the road to Bella Yella, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf upon her return to Monrovia Sunday visited the Sinkor United Pentecostal Church thanking God for answering her prayers for motor road to reach Belle Yella Town, Gbarpolu County.
At the Church service in Monrovia, President Sirleaf said the entry of the motor road into Belle Yella was not an easy task, but that she was optimistic that more strange development will reach in other counties come 2010.
The Liberian leader used the occasion to thank Public Works Minister Samuel Kofi Woods and his team of engineers along with the contractors for their hard work and for making their dream and promise to come to reality.
What is particularly important about the success of the Belle Yella Road is the remarkable effort made by Public Works Minister Samuel Kofi Woods to push on although other projects around the country were ongoing simultaneously.
Thank God for Ma Ellen |
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About the Author:
Michael Kpayili is a staff writer for TheLiberianTimes.com. Kpayili has written articles which have appeared on TheLiberianTimes.com since late 2005, and his hard hitting investigative journalism has earned the respect of the Liberian press community.
Michael Kpayili may be contacted at mkpayili@theliberiantimes.com.
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