By Trokon Larway
BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County — The Chairman of Benson River Community in Buchanan has sharply criticized Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, accusing her of having made “zero impact” on the lives of residents despite living in the community.
Speaking to reporters on Monday following severe flooding that affected dozens of residents and sweeping away of the Benson River Bridge, Community Chairman Elijah Benson expressed frustration over what he described as the Senate Pro-Tempore’s lack of engagement with community leaders and her failure to address pressing challenges confronting residents.
According to Mr. Benson, many residents had long expected that having a senior government official residing in their community would help attract development initiatives and bring greater attention to local concerns. However, he said those expectations have not been met. ”The impact is zero,” Mr. Benson declared. “People always remind us that the Senate Pro-Tempore lives here, but when you look around the community, you don’t see anything that reflects that reality. We have challenges affecting our people every day, yet there has been little or no intervention.”
The community chairman said residents continue to face numerous difficulties, including inadequate drainage systems, poor road conditions, and recurring flooding during the rainy season. He argued that these issues require urgent attention from both local and national leaders.
Mr. Benson further alleged that despite residing in the area, Senator Karnga-Lawrence has not maintained regular communication with community leaders regarding the welfare of residents.
”She lives among us, but not one day has she called community leaders together to hear our concerns or discuss the problems affecting the community,” he said. “Leadership is not only about holding a high office; it is also about staying connected to the people and understanding what they are going through.”
Using a local expression to emphasize his disappointment, Mr. Benson compared the situation to “killing a cow and eating dry rice,” suggesting that despite having an influential lawmaker living in the community, residents have seen little benefit from her position.
His comments came in the wake of a day-long downpour that triggered flooding in parts of Buchanan, leaving several families displaced and causing extensive damage to household property and personal belongings.
During a tour of affected areas, residents were seen attempting to salvage mattresses, clothing, furniture, and other valuables from floodwaters that entered homes after drainage systems became overwhelmed by the heavy rainfall.
Mr. Benson said the latest flooding incident has once again exposed the vulnerability of the community and underscored the need for immediate intervention to improve drainage infrastructure and implement long-term flood mitigation measures.
While criticizing what he described as a lack of support from the Senate Pro-Tempore, the community chairman also appealed to humanitarian organizations, local authorities, businesses, and well-meaning Liberians to assist flood victims. However, Sen. Lawrence’s office is yet to comment on the matter.
