Due to the rice shortage, the town chief has blamed the situation on poor road network. He also spoke of lack of public latrines and safe drinking water.
Residents of Buah Jlateken in Buah Administrative District, Grand Kru County, have gone out of rice. For that, they reportedly endure hunger, because the shortage has lasted nearly two months.
The situation has also forced some households to survive on cassava, and plantain as rice supplies remain unavailable.
Town Chief Philip T. Kunwon, disclosed to reporters on Monday, October 19, how the shortage was the result of a poor rice harvest, and deplorable road conditions along the Barclayville/Jlateken route.
Kunwon: “Birds destroyed much of the rice cultivated by residents, leaving the community with insufficient supplies to meet its food needs.”
With rice yet to arrive in the town, families have increasingly relied on cassava, and plantain to fill in the gap.
They raised concerns about food security, and the economic hardship confronting residents.
Kunwon further explained how transportation difficulties have contributed to rising commodity prices.
Beyond the rice shortage, Kunwon highlighted the lack of adequate latrines, limited access to safe drinking water, and poor road infrastructure.
He also raised concerns about an increase in reported deaths in the area, pointing to the difficult conditions under which residents live.
