- Nimba County Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono says the county has entered what she described as an "irreversible path of development," citing a growing list of completed, ongoing and planned infrastructure projects that she said are reshaping communities across the region.
Speaking on OK FM on Tuesday, Jan. 20, Gono said she is encouraged by the pace and scope of development in Nimba and praised the government's decision to hold a major national infrastructure conference outside Monrovia in Ganta.
"Everything is well. We are on an irreversible path of development," Gono said. "That's why I'm even grateful to the Government of Liberia and the leadership of Honorable Giddings for being revolutionary enough to take a big national infrastructure conference outside of Monrovia and bring it to Ganta."
She described Ganta and Nimba more broadly as emerging symbols of hope for infrastructure growth, noting that the county is experiencing a revival.
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"We are very happy. Nimba is on a path of revival when it comes to infrastructure," she added.
Sokopa Transformation Marks Entry Into Nimba
Gono said development efforts begin at Sokopa, the main entry point into Nimba, where she said a once-neglected landmark has been restored.
"At Sokopa, when you enter, you will see the Welcome Center where it says 'Welcome to Nimba,"' she said. "That place was originally an idea of President Tubman, but it was dilapidated. We were able to reconstruct it."
The renovated complex now includes a multipurpose hall, a restaurant and a gift shop. Gono said the county plans to hand the facility over through a private franchise arrangement to ensure efficiency, transparency and accountability.
"As a county, we can't be micromanaging these things. For transparency and accountability, it is better to outsource the services," she said.
Gono disclosed that the restaurant at the Sokopa complex will be named after Rachel Miller Howard, Nimba's first female superintendent.
"She is our first female superintendent and a very hospitable person. We thought it was important to honor her by naming the restaurant after her," Gono said.
To complement the development, she said a modern joint security hub has been constructed opposite the Sokopa complex to address security concerns along the corridor.
"That corridor is porous, so we thought it was important to also bring security to that area," she said.
Countywide Projects Gain Momentum
Beyond Sokopa, Gono said construction and renovation works are ongoing at the superintendent's compound in Sanniquellie, along with improvements to other administrative and public facilities across the county.
She also highlighted projects she described as major priorities, including the Nimba airstrip, a new market under construction, and the Nimba Lodge in Montserrado County.
Gono said the Nimba Botanical Garden -- which she called a key environmental initiative -- is now in its second phase, with support from the Environmental Protection Agency.
"That botanical garden will be one of the first in the country. It will help protect our medicinal plants, serve as a place to study conservation, and support biodiversity," she said.
Branding Nimba Through Tourism and Local Products
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Gono said her administration is also working to brand Nimba as a destination for tourism and local enterprise, including the promotion of organic drinks and hospitality services.
"Part of our branding is not just the grill and GB, but also our organic drinks and local products," she said.
Despite acknowledging persistent challenges, Gono said she remains optimistic about the county's trajectory, citing visible infrastructure upgrades across multiple districts.
"When it comes to infrastructure, we are on a path of revival," she said. "From our seat of government in Sanniquellie to Ganta, to Saclepea, to Tappita, we have seen either renovation or reconstruction."
Gono said the broader goal is to ensure development reaches all parts of the county and delivers tangible benefits to residents.
"Our story is a story of infrastructure, and our future is also about planning for development," she said.
