By : P Uriah Suah| 0881137395
Ganta, Nimba County – Nimba County District #1 Representative, Hon. Samuel Brown Sr., has responded to growing public criticism regarding his silence on pressing issues affecting his district.
Speaking during the House of Representatives’ Tuesday sitting, the lawmaker outlined several national concerns while emphasizing the urgent need for equitable development.
Rep. Brown argued that Liberia has struggled with imbalanced development priorities since its founding.
“ I think Liberia deserves better development,” he said. “Since we were born as a nation in 1847, government has always focused on the road leading from Monrovia to the cities. But when they reach the cities, they do not branch out to the villages to build the road.”
With the national budget projected at US$1.2 billion, Rep. Brown stressed that now is the time for government to take clear developmental steps that benefit rural communities.
“It is important that this budget includes a tangible development roadmap. If the draft budget is already at US$1.2 billion, in 2027 we expect more. So, we must start the first step now. Development must reflect in the cities—especially commercial hubs like Ganta, Saclepea, Bahn and others,” he noted.He lamented that lawmakers often have to “buttress government efforts” by financing community road projects themselves, a burden he believes should not continue.Rep. Brown also highlighted Liberia’s struggling health sector, emphasizing the need for modern medical equipment to reduce the number of officials and citizens seeking treatment abroad.
“After the 14-year civil war, citizens fall sick and cannot find proper treatment. Even government officials travel overseas for medical care. Yet government has the capacity to buy the needed medical equipment,” he said.
“Even if there’s no specialist doctor, we can train one. That will ease the burden and have economic impact. Lawmakers and ordinary citizens spend so much money going to India or China, but government can invest in equipment right here.”
He insisted that public resources must be used for the benefit of citizens, not individuals in power.“Government is not a private company. All resources belong to the people. Do not use them on individuals because they are in position,” he warned.
When asked how prepared he is to advocate for better roads and increased health funding, Rep. Brown responded with confidence.
“I will continue. The Rescue Mission came to rescue the people, so they must do the needful—not for those in government positions, but for the common people. The people in the market, the people in Glehyee-Zorpea, the people in the villages—they deserve better.”
He added that improved road networks in towns including Ganta, Saclepea, Bahn and other communities would lift living conditions and ensure equal development opportunities.Representative Brown also underscored the daily challenges faced by civil servantsespecially teachers, who commute long distances under difficult economic conditions.
“You know the economic situation in Liberia. If a teacher leaves from Mount Barclay or RIA Highway to come to central Monrovia, their transportation is a burden. Money transfer is nowhere to be found. We cannot continue this way,” he said.
Rep. Brown concluded by reaffirming his commitment to speaking up for his district and pushing for policies that improve service delivery across Liberia.
