Written By Paul M. Kanneh 

 

It is often said give the man his flowers while he is alive. So it was the case with the Swedish International Development Agency on February 17, 2016 when the peace loving people of old Yorpea town in Nimb County appreciated the development agency for what they termed as bringing them from darkness to light.   

 

“SIDA has taken us from darkness to light. Our travelling difficulties are now over” said the town chief.  

Speaking at the brief ceremony during inspection of the road project, the town chief of Yorpea town Melvin Paye said the people of Old Yorpea town have been disconnected from the rest of the county for over a decade. 

 

According to him, the road project has finally ended their 10 years of travelling nightmare. Town Chief Paye said such intervention deserves more than appreciation.

 

He stated that even though the road work is still in progress, residents of the town are now transporting their goods and services to the market with ease.

 

He however stressed the need for drivers to consider the reduction in transportation fare now that the road is taking a better shape. 

 

For his part, retired Major of the Arm Forces of Liberia (AFL) Joseph G. Kukan asserted that the people of Sweden deserve to be honored because; he said they listened to the cry of the people of Yorpea town for improved road condition. 

 

“These are people that deserve to be honored because they listened to our cry for good road”, the Major said. 

 

The retired AFL Mayor termed the road work as very important, adding that residents of the town will now be able to take their produce to the markets without going through difficulties. 

 

He expressed thanks and appreciation to the government of President Sirleaf for considering the road linking their town to the rest of the county under the Liberia Swedish Feeder Road Project (LSFRP). 

Meanwhile, the people of Old Yorpea town are calling on the Government and people of Sweden to help connect other areas that are lacking of roads. 

 

Responding, the Counselor/Program Officer at the Swedish Embassy near Monrovia, Madam Eva Ohlsson said, the mission was very grateful for the gift. She described the people of Yorpea town as a good and productive people.

 

She said roads are needed for the farming products to reach the markets and for the women and children to reach the schools and health facilities. She underscored the need for more roads in the area. 

Madam Ohlsson stated that, the people of Sweden represented by the Swedish Embassy in Monrovia are very happy to work together with the Ministry of Public Works in connecting the two chiefdoms (Old & New Yorpea Town).