Rubber Company Profits, Town Left Behind: Quiloken Residents Struggle for Clean Water and Safety

Maryland County, Liberia: People in Quiloken Town, Gborlobo Clan, Maryland County, are facing serious problems because they don’t have safe drinking water. Poor sanitation and little help from the government or local companies make life even harder.

Quiloken Town is near the Cavalla Rubber Corporation (CRC), a big rubber company. Even though the company makes money from the land, residents say it has not helped them with water, sanitation, or protecting the environment.

Mayor Benetius Mayo said the town, with more than 2,000 people, has only one working hand pump for drinking water. Other pumps are broken and have not been fixed. This is dangerous, especially in the rainy season.

“Half of our people get waterborne diseases each year,” Mr. Mayo said. “Children, elderly people, and pregnant women suffer the most. Some pregnant women even lose their pregnancies because of these illnesses.”

Residents worry that the water is polluted by CRC’s factory. The creek that gives them water is near the company, and locals say chemical waste from the factory flows into it.

Despite complaints, CRC has not cleaned the water or provided safe alternatives. “It is painful that a company making profit from our land has not helped us with water, sanitation, or health,” Mr. Mayo said.

Doctors warn that drinking polluted water can cause cholera, typhoid, diarrhea, skin problems, reproductive issues, and long-term organ damage. Quiloken Town could face a major disease outbreak if nothing is done.

• The Government of Liberia to enforce health and environmental rules
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to check for chemical dumping
• Humanitarian groups to provide safe water and toilets
• Cavalla Rubber Corporation to fix pumps, provide clean water, and reduce pollution

Clean Water Is a Human Right

Residents say they need urgent help. They want government action, corporate responsibility, and long-term solutions to end years of suffering and protect lives.

journalist Gareyson Y. Neufville of Maryland County Reported this story.