A farming dispute in Nimba County is drawing attention to tensions between local livelihoods and large-scale projects, as a woman in Kpain Town accuses a fishpond linked to Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung of damaging her farmland.
Madam Rita Dileah, a long-time farmer in Electoral District #8, says water runoff from the nearby fishpond has repeatedly flooded her swamp farm, destroying crops and disrupting her primary source of income. According to her, the land has sustained her family since 2017, supporting both daily needs and her children’s education.
She alleges that the situation has worsened in recent times, with overflow from the pond leaving significant portions of her farmland unusable. Despite raising complaints with individuals managing the facility, she claims no meaningful solution has been provided.
Dileah estimates that she invested more than LRD 600,000 into the farm, with crop losses valued at approximately LRD 400,000 due to the flooding. She further stated that she has only received LRD 14,000 in compensation so far—an amount she says falls far short of her actual losses.
Beyond the financial impact, she warns that the continued flooding threatens her ability to farm altogether, placing her family’s livelihood at serious risk.
Now seeking redress, Dileah is calling on government authorities, community leaders, and relevant institutions to investigate the situation and ensure fair intervention. Her case highlights broader concerns about accountability, environmental impact, and how development projects intersect with the lives of ordinary citizens.
