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LAND DISPUTES ENGULF MARYLAND
COUNTY
May 22,
2008
The Government of Madam Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf has inherited numerous land disputes in Liberia and likewise the local Counties Administrators. The Superintendent
of Maryland County, Sie Teba Neufville is no exception. An ancient land dispute in Maryland County between Rock Town and Big
Town commonly referred to as the Klemonweh and Nyemonweh dispute is yet to be settled, and then comes more disputes involving
Rock Town and Wechuken. There are also land disputes between Fish Town of Maryland and Nemiah of Grand Kru, Warteken and Dorrobo
of Maryland and Nyenebo of River Gee, and Gbololu and Gbewien of Maryland and Nemiah of Grand Kru.
The Central and Local Governments
procrastination in settling these disputes are creating a time bomb in these troubled areas as is the case with the recent
Rock Town and Wetchuken dispute that resulted in the death of two citizens of Wetchuken. One of the persons killed, left hand
was chopped off and the chopped off hand is allegedly missing. The People of Wetchuken are requesting for the Missing hand,
before the burial of the dead bodies and before they can settle down for peace.
WHY DID THE TIME
BOMB OF ROCKTOWN AND WETCHUKEN EXPLODE
The Chief of Wetchuken, Nelson Neal
told journalist that Nmaklewein, the disputed territory is owned by the people of Wetchuken and said land was given to the
people of Rock town to squat on for farming purpose by their ancestors. He said the agreement was that Rock Town paid some
token every year for squatting at Nmaklewein. Chief Neal stated that the present Chief of Rock Town refused to abide by said
deal.
THE CRISIS
On May 8, 2008, the townsmen of Wetchuken embarked on a road clearing process and crossed over into the
territory of Nmaklewein to brush the roads. This act resulted in the destruction of some crops owned by Nmaklewein. In retaliation,
some townsmen of Nmakelewein embarked on a similar road-clearing mission into Wetchuken also destroying food crops. In that
process, a time bomb went off and the aftermath was the death of two of Wetchuken men while two others sustained injuries.
The Government of Liberia subsequently
dispatched a delegation to the County to help investigate the crisis.
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