[allAfrica.com]  [allAfrica.com_Specials_Page]


Life Collapses in Southeast

The Analyst (Monrovia)
NEWS
May 25, 2004
Posted to the web May 25, 2004

A member of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA), Rep. Nyepan
Saytue of River Gee County has disclosed that there is a "complete breakdown of
economic activities, the rule of law and security in the southeast of the
country.
He told journalists in an interview last week that southeastern Liberia,
especially his own River Gee is facing what he terms as "economic instability"
as well as insecurity due to the failure of the United Nations Mission in
Liberia (UNMIL) to deploy to that part of the country.
Rep. Saytue noted that the people of River Gee County continue to live in fear
as a result of continuous mounting of check-points by militiamen.
The interim lawmaker narrated that there is no freedom as militiamen subject
our people to hardship and other form of economic degradations.
He furthered that the provincial city is relatively deserted except for a few
curious children and adults who are hopeful of finding some contracts to feed
their parents.
Rep. Saytue said that he worries about the continued closure of schools in the
southeast. "There are no schools in operation in the entire region," he added
in harsh tone.
According to him, because of harassment by fighters of MODEL in the area,
health institutions are unable to provide sufficient medical care in the
county.
He said there are few physician assistants who are braving the weather, in the
absence of medical doctors.
"There is no medicine, safe drinking water, beds, electricity and other
equipment to enable the physicians carry on their functions," the lawmaker
observed.
Commenting on agriculture, Rep. Saytue indicated that there was no agriculture
and that products are very expensive, especially the staple food.
Farming which is the only means of survival has been abandoned by citizens as a
result of unlimited harassment by militiamen.
He maintains that the return of normalcy in the county seems to be hanging on
the deployment of UNMIL peace-keepers.

   

  =============================================================================
  Copyright © 2004 The Analyst. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica
                         Global Media (allAfrica.com).
  =============================================================================