Published: March 10, 2026
Gbarnga, Bong County—At dawn in the busy commercial hub known as Lofa Parking, situated across the Liberia National Police Bong Detachment Headquarters, next to the Jor Creek, the day begins not with the aroma of fresh food or the chatter of customers, but with clouds of dust rising into the morning air.
As vehicles rumble through the unfinished road, thick brown particles spin over tables of food, bags of goods, drinks, and the faces of traders who rely on the area for their daily survival. Within minutes, newly washed items appear as though they have been sitting in the open for months.
For vendors and small business owners here, the dust is not just an inconvenience; it is a growing threat to their health, income, and dignity.
“We wash everything every day, but once cars pass, everything becomes dusty again,” said Lorpu B. Sumo, a local female vendor who has been selling at Lofa Parking since 2023. “By the end of the day, I feel sick. Sometimes I go home with a cold and cough because of the dust.”
Living and Working in Dust
Located along a key roadway still awaiting completion, Lofa Parking has been a commercial center where vendors sell food, household goods, and construction materials, while money changers conduct daily transactions and commuters transit to other regions.
But since construction on the road began in the area years back, traders say conditions have steadily worsened.
“When the construction company is working, they bring their machines and sometimes sprinkle water to control the dust,” explained Esther Suahlon, a slapper seller. “But once they leave, the place becomes dusty again. That’s when the real suffering start.”
According to traders, the problem intensifies during peak traffic hours when vehicles continuously move through the area.
Food containers, drinks, and even newly purchased goods quickly become coated in a layer of dust. Vendors say the contamination discourages customers and reduces daily earnings.
“If customers come here and see dust everywhere, they don’t feel comfortable buying,” said Ezekiel T. Korngor, a money changer who operates a small bureau near the parking area. “We are losing customers daily because the environment is not good.”
Korngor pointed to a bag displayed at the front of a nearby shop.
“That bag was bought only three days ago,” he said. “But look at it, it already looks like it has been there for two years.”
A Health Concern
Medical experts warn that constant exposure to dust can pose serious health risks.
According to the World Health Organization, fine dust particles, particularly particulate matter known as PM10 and PM2.5 can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk of respiratory infections, asthma, and cardiovascular disease (WHO).
Long-term exposure to high dust levels has also been linked to chronic coughing, throat irritation, and eye infections.
For traders who spend up to 12 hours a day outdoors, the risks are amplified.
“When you stay here for long hours inhaling dust, it’s dangerous,” Korngor said. “Sometimes you don’t even want to dress well to come here because everything will get dirty immediately.”
For many vendors, healthcare expenses are becoming an additional burden.
“When I get sick, I use the same small money from my business to go to the clinic,” said Sumo. “This business is my only source of income.”
Impact on Livelihoods
Beyond health concerns, the dusty environment is affecting economic activity in the area.
Daniel Duke, who runs a building materials store along the road, said the dust damages merchandise and discourages buyers.
“We sit here and breathe dust almost the whole day,” Duke explained. “Customers come, but many of them leave because the place is uncomfortable.”
He added that traders feel trapped because their businesses depend on the location.
“I cannot close my shop and go somewhere else. This is where my customers know me. But staying here means inhaling dust every day.”
Safety Risks on the Road
The dusty road also poses safety hazards for drivers and motorcyclists.
Traders say loose stones and poor visibility frequently cause near-accidents.
“Sometimes a motorcycle hits a rock because the rider cannot see clearly through the dust,” Duke said.
According to residents, the unfinished section of the road has remained in this condition for years.
“We have been facing this problem since 2023 when work started here,” said Suahlon. “Now it is 2026, and the dust is still affecting us.”
A Plea to Authorities
Vendors are now appealing to local and national authorities for urgent intervention.
Many are calling on the Ministry of Public Works in Liberia and county officials to ensure that construction companies complete the remaining portion of the road or at least implement temporary dust-control measures.
“At least this small portion of the road around the parking should be completed,” Duke said. “If the project continues, we will not have a problem. But leaving it like this is causing suffering.”
Traders are also urging county authorities and Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris to advocate on their behalf.
“The citizens are what make the county,” Duke emphasized. “Without the citizens, the county cannot exist. So our health and well-being must matter.”
Hope for a Cleaner Future
As the sun sets over Lofa Parking, vendors begin packing their goods, many already coated with the dust of another long day.
Yet despite the hardship, they remain hopeful that their voices will be heard.
“We are not asking for too much,” Sumo said quietly while wiping dust from her table. “We just want a safe place to do our business and live in a better environment.”
Until then, the dust continues to rise with every passing vehicle, settling on goods, lungs, and livelihoods alike.
Discussion about this post