YARPAH TOWN, River Cess – As the rainy season approaches, commuters who frequent the road between Grand Bassa and River Cess are starting to worry about the potential impact of the bad road conditions on their travels.

Between June and November of every year, the entire southeastern region of Liberia is cut off from the rest of the country because of bad road conditions resulting from the heavy rains.

Travelers to and from River Cess sometimes spend a week on the 50 km road leading to Buchanan.

Even as rehabilitation of the road is ongoing, a recent tour by The Bush Chicken revealed that several parts of the road are in terrible shape.

On the highway through District Four, a truck was seen stuck in a large ditch in the middle of the road. The driver, along with other passengers, worked to offload the vehicle.

“This is our second day here today,” the truck’s driver said. “The road is getting bad too soon this year.”

A truck stuck in ditch on a highway through District Four. Photo: Eric Doue

As the condition of roads in the region worsens, drivers often increase their transportation fares to accommodate for the longer travel times and the need for extra parts. Incidentally, this results in the prices of commodities such as rice and gasoline increasing during the rainy season.

Currently, a ticket for one passenger from Yarpah Town to Buchanan costs between L$500 – 600 (US4.76-$5.71). During last year’s rainy season, the same trip cost L$1500 (US$14.29).

Nancy Jacobs, the owner of Oil Block 13, a retail shop in Yarpah Town, said she’s worried about the road.

“My fear is that the way the rain coming so soon, how we will get our goods?” Jacobs said.

While there are concerns from citizens that the roads from River Cess to other parts of the country may not be rehabilitated in time for the rainy season, River Cess County Inspector Trokon Browne assured citizens that “the road from Buchanan to Cestos will be done.”

Featured photo by Eric Doue