Nimba County
Encyclopedia
Nimba is a county
in the north-central portion of the West Africa
n nation of Liberia
. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division
in the nation, it has six districts
. Sanniquellie
serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring 11551 square kilometre, the largest in the nation. As of the 2008 Census, it had a population of 462,026, making it the second most populous county in Liberia.
Named after Neinbaa Tohn Mountain, the tallest mountain in the county, Nimba is bordered by Bong
and Grand Bassa
counties to the west, River Cess County
to the southwest, and Grand Gedeh County
to the southeast. The northern and northeastern parts of Nimba borders the nation of Guinea
, while the northeast lies along the border of Côte d'Ivoire
. Created in 1964, the current County Superintendent, who is the chief administrative officer, is Robert S. Kamei.
. In a joint venture between the Liberian Government, US Bethlehem Steel
and the Swedish mining company Granges
a huge project was set up, LAMCO
(LIBERIAN American Co.). The project contributed to economic and social development in Liberia for 30 years. Corruption was minimal and political stability good. Liberia was amongst the most progressive countries in Africa during this period. History itself caught up with the past and ironically the usual tribal war mentality erupted in 1980 (see Liberia facts). Nimba county was devastated by the civil war that followed. The iron ore had been degrading in quality, and world prices plunged. The combination led to a dismantle of the LAMCO project. After the civil war (which lasted for more than a decade), Nimba is finally getting better. Arcelor-Mittal
is committed to reopening the iron mine at Nimba Mountain, outside the former company town of Yekepa. Hospitals and Schools built and financed by LAMCO, are now being run by ArcelorMittal. The houses which were built by LAMCO have partly been rehabilitated by ArcelorMittal though most are overgrown by the rain-forest.
In 2005, the very high price of iron ore is seeing a lot of interest in reopening the mines and rebuilding the standard gauge railway to the port of Buchanan
.
. In Sanniquellie
, the Ministry of Health and MSF Holland
are cooperating to run a hospital and a set of health posts which provide access to basic care. At Ganta
, the Methodist Church runs a private hospital
. At Saclepea
, MSF Switzerland
runs a temporary comprehensive health center and is building a permanent one to move into during 2007. MSF Switzerland also operates three health posts at Lepula, Diallah, and Zekepa (all in southern Nimba). There are other small clinics and health posts operated by NGOs like MERCI and Africare
. Presently, Equip-Liberia is running two health centres in Kparblee District one is in Zodru while the other is in Yourpea New Town. Also a private clinic is being run by one Thomas Saulgaie in Kparblee Town. This clinic has about eighteen bed rooms.
Much of the population has access to traditional healers and to unregulated, privately operated pharmacies. The healers are using herbs of unknown efficacy, and the pharmacies are selling chloroquine, a drug which is known to be ineffective against the majority of malaria cases seen in Nimba.
Counties of Liberia
||There are 15 counties in Liberia, as of 2008.-External links:** Comprehensive resource about counties and districts of Liberia....
in the north-central portion of the West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
n nation of Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division
Administrative division
An administrative division, subnational entity, or country subdivision is a portion of a country or other political division, established for the purpose of government. Administrative divisions are each granted a certain degree of autonomy, and are required to manage themselves through their own...
in the nation, it has six districts
Districts of Liberia
The counties of Liberia are subdivided into districts.*Bomi County**Dewoin District**Klay District**Mecca District**Senjeh District*Bong County**Fuamah District**Jorquelleh District**Kokoyah District**Panta-Kpa District**Salala District...
. Sanniquellie
Sanniquellie
Sanniquellie is a city and the capital of Nimba County and Sanniquellie-Mah District, Liberia. It is located in the north-east of the country at coordinates 07°21'49" N 008°42'40" W...
serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring 11551 square kilometre, the largest in the nation. As of the 2008 Census, it had a population of 462,026, making it the second most populous county in Liberia.
Named after Neinbaa Tohn Mountain, the tallest mountain in the county, Nimba is bordered by Bong
Bong County
Bong is a county in the north-central portion of the West African nation of Liberia. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has twelve districts. Gbarnga serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring...
and Grand Bassa
Grand Bassa County
Grand Bassa is a county in the west-central portion of the West African nation of Liberia. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has eight districts. Buchanan serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring...
counties to the west, River Cess County
River Cess County
River Cess is a county in the south-central portion of the West African nation of Liberia. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has six districts. Cesstos City serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring...
to the southwest, and Grand Gedeh County
Grand Gedeh County
Grand Gedeh is a county in the eastern portion of the West African nation of Liberia. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has three districts. Zwedru serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring...
to the southeast. The northern and northeastern parts of Nimba borders the nation of Guinea
Guinea
Guinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
, while the northeast lies along the border of Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be...
. Created in 1964, the current County Superintendent, who is the chief administrative officer, is Robert S. Kamei.
Government
Nimba County is one of fifteen political subdivisions of Liberia. During William V.S. Tubman's administration (1944–1971), the region now called Nimba County was one of three of Liberia's Provinces - namely, Western Province, Eastern Province and Central Province. In the sixties, Tubman changed these provinces into counties. Central Province became what is known as Nimba County. Before the civil war of Liberia in (1989), it had a population of over 310,000 people. It is the second largest county in Liberia in terms of population.Districts
The districts of Nimba County include (population):- Boe & Quilla DistrictBoe & Quilla DistrictBoe & Quilla District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 18,262.-References:...
(18,262) - Buu-Yao DistrictBuu-Yao DistrictBuu-Yao District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 40,007.-References:...
(40,007) - Doe DistrictDoe DistrictDoe District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 35,918.-References:...
(35,918) - Garr Bain DistrictGarr Bain DistrictGarr Bain District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 61,225.-References:...
(61,225) - Gbehlageh (Gbehlay-Geh) DistrictGbehlageh DistrictGbehlageh District is one of 17 districts located in Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 32,176....
(32,176) - Gbi & Doru DistrictGbi & Doru DistrictGbi & Doru District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 8,131.-References:...
(8,131) - Gbor DistrictGbor DistrictGbor District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 10,875.-References:...
(10,875) - Kparblee DistrictKparblee DistrictKparblee District is one of 17 Administrative Districts of Nimba County, Liberia. In 2008, the population was 11,424. It is located in Tappita Statutory District and situated along the Cestos River which border Liberia with the Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, commonly called Ivory Coast...
(11,424) - Leewehpea-Mahn DistrictLeewehpea-Mahn DistrictLeewehpea-Mahn District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 24,747.-References:...
(24,747) - Meinpea-Mahn DistrictMeinpea-Mahn DistrictMeinpea-Mahn District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 24,157.-References:...
(24,157) - Sanniqquellie-Mahn DistrictSanniqquellie-Mahn DistrictSanniqquellie-Mahn District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 25,370....
(25,370) - Twan River DistrictTwan River DistrictTwan River District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 37,479.-References:...
(37,479) - Wee-Gbehy-Mahn DistrictWee-Gbehy-Mahn DistrictWee-Gbehy-Mahn District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 32,934.-References:...
(32,934) - Yarmein DistrictYarmein DistrictYarmein District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 22,718.-References:...
(22,718) - Yarpea Mahn DistrictYarpea Mahn DistrictYarpea Mahn District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 21,647.-References:...
(21,647) - Yarwein Mehnsonnoh District (25,584)
- Zoe-Gbao DistrictZoe-Gbao DistrictZoe-Gbao District is one of 17 districts of Nimba County, Liberia. As of 2008, the population was 29,372.-References:...
(29,372)
Iron ore
During the late 1950s iron ore was found in "the iron mountain" Mount NimbaMount Nimba
Mount Richard-Molard is a mountain along the border of Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea in West Africa. At 1,752 m it is the highest point in both nations. The mountain is the highest peak of the Nimba Range , straddling the border between the two countries and Liberia...
. In a joint venture between the Liberian Government, US Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
The Bethlehem Steel Corporation , based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was once the second-largest steel producer in the United States, after Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based U.S. Steel. After a decline in the U.S...
and the Swedish mining company Granges
Granges
Granges may refer to:*The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry , an agricultural organization*Granges, Saône-et-Loire, a commune in France*Granges, Switzerland, a municipality of the canton of Fribourg...
a huge project was set up, LAMCO
Lamco
The Liberian-American-Swedish Minerals Company is a defunct Liberian corporation that mined for iron ore in the Nimba range in Liberia. Founded in 1955 by American and Swedish investors, the company established the first large-scale mining operation in Liberia following the discovery of the Nimba...
(LIBERIAN American Co.). The project contributed to economic and social development in Liberia for 30 years. Corruption was minimal and political stability good. Liberia was amongst the most progressive countries in Africa during this period. History itself caught up with the past and ironically the usual tribal war mentality erupted in 1980 (see Liberia facts). Nimba county was devastated by the civil war that followed. The iron ore had been degrading in quality, and world prices plunged. The combination led to a dismantle of the LAMCO project. After the civil war (which lasted for more than a decade), Nimba is finally getting better. Arcelor-Mittal
Arcelor-Mittal
ArcelorMittal S.A. is a global steel company headquartered in Avenue de la Liberté, Luxembourg, Luxembourg. It is the largest steel producing company in the world and is the market leader in steel for use in automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging. It holds sizeable captive...
is committed to reopening the iron mine at Nimba Mountain, outside the former company town of Yekepa. Hospitals and Schools built and financed by LAMCO, are now being run by ArcelorMittal. The houses which were built by LAMCO have partly been rehabilitated by ArcelorMittal though most are overgrown by the rain-forest.
Demographics
Nimba County is inhabited predominantly by two ethnic groups—the Mán speaking people and the Dán speaking people. The Mandingos or Malinky or Manding people, who were late arrivers in the region, make up the third group but are in smaller number than either one of the two major groups. The Mán and Dán people are very closely interrelated. They also share a common history that is traceable mythologically to a common father but different mothers. Also in Nimba County are two minority group of people namely, the Krahn of Kparblee and the Bassa of Gbi and Doru Administrative Districts. The Krahn are situated along the Cestos River which border Liberia with the Ivory Coast. According to the history of the Krahn, they and the Gio tribe have inter-marriage relationship this also occurred in the Ivory Coast where these two group of people just migrated from before settling here in Liberia.In 2005, the very high price of iron ore is seeing a lot of interest in reopening the mines and rebuilding the standard gauge railway to the port of Buchanan
Buchanan, Liberia
Buchanan is the third largest city in Liberia, lying on Waterhouse Bay, part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is referred to as Gbezohn in the local Bassa language. As of the 2008 census, Buchanan has a population of 34,270. Of this, 16,984 were male and 17,286 female....
.
Healthcare
Access to quality healthcare in Nimba is lacking for many residents. The hospital at Yekepa, built by LAMCO, is now being run by Arcelor-MittalArcelor-Mittal
ArcelorMittal S.A. is a global steel company headquartered in Avenue de la Liberté, Luxembourg, Luxembourg. It is the largest steel producing company in the world and is the market leader in steel for use in automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging. It holds sizeable captive...
. In Sanniquellie
Sanniquellie
Sanniquellie is a city and the capital of Nimba County and Sanniquellie-Mah District, Liberia. It is located in the north-east of the country at coordinates 07°21'49" N 008°42'40" W...
, the Ministry of Health and MSF Holland
Médecins Sans Frontières
' , or Doctors Without Borders, is a secular humanitarian-aid non-governmental organization best known for its projects in war-torn regions and developing countries facing endemic diseases. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland...
are cooperating to run a hospital and a set of health posts which provide access to basic care. At Ganta
Ganta
Ganta, also known as Gompa City, is a town in Nimba County of northern Liberia, lying just south of the Guinean border. It is the second largest city in Liberia, with a population of 41,106....
, the Methodist Church runs a private hospital
Ganta Hospital
Ganta United Methodist Hospital is a hospital in Ganta, northeast Liberia. It was established in 1926 by Dr. George Harley and his wife Winifred and serves a population of around 450,000 in Liberia and neighbouring countries...
. At Saclepea
Saclepea
Located in the heart of Nimba County, Liberia, Saclepea was a town of more than 12,000 citizens in 2008 and now has an estimated population around 17,000. Saclepeans are predominately from the native Mah tribe, and they speak the Mano dialect...
, MSF Switzerland
Médecins Sans Frontières
' , or Doctors Without Borders, is a secular humanitarian-aid non-governmental organization best known for its projects in war-torn regions and developing countries facing endemic diseases. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland...
runs a temporary comprehensive health center and is building a permanent one to move into during 2007. MSF Switzerland also operates three health posts at Lepula, Diallah, and Zekepa (all in southern Nimba). There are other small clinics and health posts operated by NGOs like MERCI and Africare
Africare
Africare is a non-profit organization based in the United States which provides development aid for Africa. Africare was founded in 1970 by former Peace Corps members who had worked in eastern Niger, as well as a Nigerian diplomat. Africare now provides aid for approximately 25 countries in every...
. Presently, Equip-Liberia is running two health centres in Kparblee District one is in Zodru while the other is in Yourpea New Town. Also a private clinic is being run by one Thomas Saulgaie in Kparblee Town. This clinic has about eighteen bed rooms.
Much of the population has access to traditional healers and to unregulated, privately operated pharmacies. The healers are using herbs of unknown efficacy, and the pharmacies are selling chloroquine, a drug which is known to be ineffective against the majority of malaria cases seen in Nimba.
External links
- Place name codes
- http://www.liberianobserver.com/node/9038 - Nimba/Grand Gedeh peace initiative