By: Darius N. Karnga – karngedarius27@gmial.com
Monrovia, Liberia – Bentol, the capital city of Montserrado County is confronted with lots of challenges that continue to impede the growth of the city.
Amongst the challenges, the lack of electricity stands tall. Situated within Montserrado County, Bentol remains dark at night which poses serious security risks to residents.
As a result of the lack of electricity, the Mayor of the City John Y. Manor said residents are endangered by criminal activities which he said are on the increase.
Mayor Manor has launched a passionate call for the national leaders of the county and the central government to intervene and electrify the city.
“We are facing numerous challenges in this City, women and children are living in fear due to the lack of electricity. At about 6:00 pm, the entire City is dark, no good road and we are suffering. What we go through here is beyond expectation. “Mayor Manor said”
Urgent Need for Clean Drinking Water
The mayor of Betol City has stressed the urgent need for the restoration of clean and safe drinking water for residents of the city.
“This city lacks not just electricity but clean drinking water. For years now, no one is thinking about u here and we are hopping the new administration will do something to take us out of this trouble.”
“We are forgotten. No clean drinking water, no electricity, no good roads.” Myor Manor noted.
Mayor Manor told our reporter that residents of the city are still drinking from “contaminated” wells and creeks due to the lack of safe drinking water.
He said there was a need for urgent help to alleviate residents of the city from current challenges they are faced with.
Bentol, Once a Beacon of Hope
It is located 20 miles (32km) away from Liberia’s Capital, Monrovia.
Bentol was established in 1974 when former President Tolbert moved the Country capital from Monrovia to his hometown. It is also the birthplace of former Preident William R Tolbert Jr, the 20th president of Liberia who got killed in 1980 as a result of a coup.
Prior to the Liberian Civil War, Bentol’s industrial activity included producing milled rice, sawn wood, soap, plastic, paints, furniture and fixtures, cement blocks, oils, processed fish, and confection.
But as of April 8, 2025, Bentol City is undergoing construction of a new neuropsychiatric hospital with the contractor having begun clearing vegetation and leaving the site.
