-Citizens Decry Dust Hazard, as Road Work Drags in Brewerville
By: Sampat JMB Kpakimah
Scores of residents of Jah Tondo Town and the VOA Road corridor in Brewerville have already fallen ill due to worsening dust pollution and mounting safety hazards from prolonged road construction in the area.
While many residents welcome the government’s decision to rehabilitate the road network part of ongoing infrastructure efforts under President Joseph Boakai they say delays and inadequate dust control measures are putting lives and livelihoods at risk.
In an interview conducted on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Mohammed Kamara, a 10th-grade student and resident of Jah Tondo Town Road, said the heavy dust affects his daily school routine.
“It messes my school uniform before I even enter class,” he explained. “Sometimes it gives me cold and makes it hard to focus.”
Kamara acknowledged that the road project is a positive development, especially after years of neglect, but urged authorities to fast-track the process.
“The government said they are putting cold tar on the road, which is good, but they should please hurry up with it,” he appealed.
According to Frankie Saywou, a student of NVTI and also a resident of Jah Tondo Town, echoed similar concerns. He said the project was initially expected to last four months, but the delay is becoming worrying.
“We thank President Boakai for starting the road because it was in bad condition for over a decade,” Saywou said. “But because of the dust, most of us prefer to move at night.”
Residents Complain of Poor Dust Control
Promise Harris, a high school graduate and resident of Jah Tondo Town, said the project started last year but progress has been inconsistent.
“The contractor comes, digs, and leaves. The road is not being fixed according to the timeline they talked about,” Harris said. “There is no proper water spraying to limit the dust. People are getting sick. Every day we have to dust our homes. Even the food and water we drink get contaminated.”
She called for more water trucks and a faster pace of construction. Market table business owner Janette, also of Jah Tondo Town, said the dust is hurting small businesses. “My goods look old in the eyes of customers because I have to keep wiping them all the time,” she said. “Our children help us sell, and when they are exposed to the dust, they get cold. We are always buying medicine.”
She urged both the government and contractors to strengthen the watering system.
“The project is ongoing and we agree with it, but improve the water truck. The dust is killing us,” she stressed. At the VOA Junction, Obediah T. Borbor, Chairman of motorcyclists described the situation as severe, particularly along VOA Road. “Construction is moving a bit faster in Jah Tondo Town compared to VOA Road, but the dust is too much,” Borbor said.
He recounted a tragic incident in which a motorcyclist attempting to overtake a vehicle due to excessive dust collided with a car and died instantly. “There was no intervention from the government or the contractor. The family just buried him quietly,” he alleged.
Borbor maintained that the single water truck assigned to the area is insufficient. “Before the truck returns, the road is already dry. It looks like no water was poured.
One truck cannot reduce the dust hazard,” he said. “The dust is harmful, but what else can we do except ride? Sometimes we wonder what will become of us when we reach old age.” Emmanuel Tarr, an electrician, praised the government for initiating the project but questioned the level of supervision. “We agree that government is working, but it should be factual. What they expect from government is not being seen,” Tarr said. “If they were properly monitoring the project, it would not be prolonged.”
Mr. Guanue, a security guard and resident of Perry Town, also described the road project as beneficial but stressed the need for speedy completion to enable residents to fully pursue their livelihoods. A medical Doctor, Mrs. Evelyn Wesseh warned that prolonged exposure to dust poses serious health risks.
“Dust is not good. It affects the lungs,” she said, noting that children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions are especially vulnerable.
