By Christian J. Appleton
WEAH VILLAGE, Maryland County – Residents of Weah Village, a rapidly growing community of more than 400 people along the Harper Highway in District #1, Maryland County, are appealing to the Government of Liberia, District #1 Representative P. Mike Jurry, and humanitarian organizations to urgently provide safe drinking water.
The community, now commonly referred to as Weah Town because of its expanding population, has no hand pump or protected water source. As a result, residents have relied for years on a nearby creek for drinking, cooking, washing, and other household activities.
During a recent visit to the community, women and children were seen fetching water from the creek despite growing concerns over its safety. Residents say the situation has become increasingly dangerous, particularly during the dry season when the water level drops and its quality deteriorates.
Frank Smith, who has lived in the community since 2017, said repeated appeals for a hand pump have gone unanswered.
“We have been asking for a hand pump for years, but nothing has happened. This creek is the only water we drink,” Smith said.
He added that residents are especially concerned because the creek is located beside the Harper Highway, where several fatal road accidents have occurred over the years.
According to Smith, rainwater often washes blood and other debris from accident scenes into the creek, yet residents have no alternative source of drinking water.
“We are dying. We want the government and anyone who can help to come to our aid,” he pleaded.
Another resident, Moses Tye, also called for urgent intervention, stressing that the community desperately needs access to safe drinking water.
Women in the community say they bear the greatest burden of the crisis. Oretha Nathan said pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and the elderly all depend on the creek despite its poor condition.
She claimed the water often becomes discolored during the dry season and that many residents frequently suffer stomach pain after drinking it.
“We are suffering. This is the only water we have. We need help before the situation gets worse,” Nathan said.
General Town Chief Gabriel B. Harmon said Weah Village has experienced significant population growth but still lacks a single hand pump.
He said community leaders have repeatedly appealed for assistance, particularly during election periods when promises were made, but those commitments have not been fulfilled.
“We are tired of begging for help. We need the government, our representative, NGOs, and anyone who can assist to please come and help this community,” Harmon appealed.
Responding to the concerns, District #1 Representative P. Mike Jurry said the issue had not previously been brought to his attention.
Jurry disclosed that he will be in Maryland County next week and that his office will dispatch engineers to Weah Village to assess the situation before determining the most appropriate intervention.
“We will send engineers to Weah Village to determine whether there is an existing hand pump that has been damaged or whether there is a need for new construction,” Representative Jurry said.
Residents fear that continued dependence on the creek could expose the community to serious waterborne diseases and are urging authorities to act swiftly before lives are lost. Their appeal highlights the ongoing struggle faced by many rural communities across Liberia to access clean and safe drinking water despite national efforts to improve water and sanitation services.
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