Despite its proximity to the capital, the community continues to struggle with inadequate healthcare, unreliable access to clean water, electricity, and telecommunications, significantly affecting the quality of life for its residents.
Margibi – Boakia Town, situated just eight miles from Monrovia in Electoral District #2 of Lower Margibi County, is facing significant challenges due to the lack of modern infrastructure and essential services.
By: Patience M. Jones, contributing writer
Despite its proximity to the capital, the community continues to struggle with inadequate healthcare, unreliable access to clean water, electricity, and telecommunications, significantly affecting the quality of life for its residents.
Healthcare in Boakia Town is a pressing concern. The town has no local clinic or pharmacy, forcing residents to travel long distances to Cotton Tree Medical Center or Barclays Farm Medical Center for medical treatment.
Many rely on local midwives for maternal care, which raises safety concerns. The community has made urgent appeals for the establishment of a healthcare facility to provide much-needed medical services.
The town also faces severe water and sanitation issues. Residents depend on creek water for bathing, cooking, and sanitation, while drinking water is sourced from a nearby rock. Although a hand pump was installed in 2021, its functionality has been compromised due to the closure of a nearby burial site, raising concerns over water contamination.
Additionally, the lack of modern toilets has led to residents using the creek for defecation, further exacerbating health risks.
Despite being located near the Firestone Hydro Dam, Boakia Town has no access to electricity. Town Chief Myer Anthony Boakia highlighted that an outdated agreement made by the town’s forefathers has left the community without access to the hydroelectric power that passes through the area. This oversight, according to Chief Boakia, is a critical issue that needs immediate attention.
Telecommunications are also lacking in Boakia Town, with both GSM providers offering unreliable service, further isolating the community. The inadequate connectivity is a source of frustration, as residents feel disconnected from broader developments in Liberia.
In addition to these challenges, the town’s sole school only serves grades kindergarten through fourth, forcing children to travel long distances for further education.
In response to these issues, residents are calling on the Liberian government to take immediate action to address these infrastructure gaps. With a pressing need for healthcare, clean water, electricity, and better education facilities, Boakia Town is hoping for timely government intervention to improve living conditions and provide a more sustainable, healthier environment for its people.
