Over ‘Poor Living Conditions’
Pomuken To Boycott Future Elections
By Gareyson Neufville
Residents of Pomuken Town in Karluway District, Maryland County, said they are frustrated over “decades of neglect and broken promises” from their elected leaders as well as the government.
They warned that unless urgent action to address their plights, is taken, they may boycott all electoral activities in the coming years.
The community says it has been left behind when it comes to basic social services, citing deplorable road conditions, lack of trained and or qualified teachers; unsafe drinking water; absence of a health facility and poor communication network.
Roads cut off during rains
While standing on a muddy, waterlogged path that serves as Pomuken’s main road, Mary Blayon, one of prominent female residents, expressed her anger.
Madam Blayon: “Look at our roads,” she said, gesturing toward the deep puddles. “When it rains, no bike can pass here, neither talk about vehicle. We are cut off from the rest of the county. Pregnant women, sick people, everyone suffers because there is no way out. We feel abandoned.”
Education in crisis
The education situation, residents say, is equally alarming. The community only school operates with just one teacher, who instructs children from the ABC class to 3rd grade.
“This is a serious educational crisis,” Madam Blayon said. “How can one teacher do the works of five or six teachers? That teacher is the principal, the vice principal for instruction, the registrar, and the vice principal for administration, all at once. Our children are bright, but without a proper school, they will never compete with other children in the country.”
Youth leader Samuel Gaye, described education as the key to “escape poverty.”
“Education is our right. Leaders talk about free education, but free education without good teachers is nothing. They must send more qualified teachers here.”
Unsafe drinking water
Access to clean drinking water remains another challenge. Most residents depend on streams and creeks that are suspected of being contaminated.
“When the water is dirty, we still drink it because we have no choice,” said elder Ma Kebeh Wisseh. “Sometimes our children get sick with running stomach and fever. We have been crying for a hand pump for years, but nobody listens.”
No health facility
Pomuken has no clinic or at least a health post. Residents rely on carrying the sick in hammocks to the nearest clinic, a journey that takes several hours on foot.
“If someone is seriously sick, we carry them on our shoulders,” explained Town Chief Francis Toe. “Sometimes by the time we reach the clinic, it is already late for the patient to survive. That is why we need a health facility in Pomuken, not tomorrow, but now.”
Poor communication network
Adding to their isolation, Pomuken suffers from poor mobile connectivity to the extent that one has to walk to a nearby town just to get a signal to make a call,” said Martha Dweh, while shaking her head in disbelieve. “It is like we are living in another century.”
Threat of elections’ boycott
The anger in Pomuken is boiling over, with residents now threatening to withdraw from all electoral processes unless their concerns are addressed.
“If our situations and challenges are not addressed, we will not vote or take part in any electoral process,” Town Chief Toe warned during a recent meeting with the NAYMOTE County Accountability and Advocacy Team.
“We are tired of fake promises. We voted for them in 2023, because they said they would fix our problems, but since then, nothing has changed.”
Community elder Peter Weah was equally blunt in his statement: “Politicians come here during campaign time with big talks. They eat our food, shake our hands, and promised us roads, schools, and water. After the elections, they forget we exist. This time, we are the ones who will forget them when they need our votes.”
Residents demand action
The people of Pomuken, have meanwhile called on their lawmakers and local authorities to act now. Their top priorities are motorable roads, more qualified teachers, safe drinking water, and a functional health facility.
“These are not luxuries,” Madam Blayon added. “They are basic things every human being deserves. If our leaders cannot provide them, then they have failed us.”
For Pomuken, the lack of these essentials are more than an inconveniences; it is a matter of survival. And as the 2029 elections draw nearer, their message is clear: political accountability will not be judged by campaign speeches, but by the tangible changes’ leaders deliver to the people.