Africa-Press – Liberia. Austin B. Taylor, Representative of Maryland County Electoral District 3, has announced the completion of a long-awaited market hall for residents of Gbalaken Town, formerly known as Free Town, in Dorrobo Clan.
The newly completed market, located in Karluway Statutory District, is expected to significantly improve trade and ease the burden on market women who previously traveled long distances to sell their goods.
For years, residents of Gbalaken and surrounding communities were forced to walk for more than an hour to Karloken, the district’s central market hub, due to the absence of a local market structure.
The situation placed significant hardship on traders, particularly women, who traveled under harsh weather conditions.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the market project was held in November 2025, with funding provided by Rep. Taylor. Construction materials, including cement, sand, and other supplies, were transported from Pleebo to the project site.
The total cost of the project is expected to be disclosed during the official turning-over ceremony, which will be held upon Rep. Taylor’s arrival in the county during the legislative break.
The need for the market structure was first raised during a community engagement organized by the NAYMOTE Liberia Maryland County Accountability and Advocacy Team (CAAT) on November 13, 2023. During the engagement, citizens emphasized the urgent need for a market facility to ease their burden.
Q. Williamson Nyantee, Traditional Youth President of Gbalaken, previously recalled that residents directly appealed to Rep. Taylor for the construction of the market facility.
“We requested many things from Hon. Taylor, one of which is the Market House. We are satisfied and appreciate the construction, but we pray it is completed as fast in time because it’s not easy,” he said.
Alfred Nyantee, a Community Health Assistant (CHA), also highlighted the health risks market women faced traveling long distances to sell their goods. “We just need a structure. We hope this building is completed soon,” he noted.
Madam Eliza Dioh, Women Leader of Gbalaken, expressed optimism that the market would help reduce spoilage of farm produce.
“Our goods can spoil because of no market to sell in. We know that our problems will come to an end as soon as this building is completed,” she said.
According to reports, the market is expected to benefit at least six towns surrounding Dorrobo. Additionally, business women from Pleebo and Harper are expected to travel to the new market to purchase farm produce in wholesale quantities.
Products such as plantain, banana, eddoes, pepper, cocoa, and yam will be traded at the facility, with buyers transporting goods to urban centers for resale.
Over the weekend, Rep. Taylor announced the completion of the project on his official Facebook page, describing it as the fulfillment of a long-held dream for the people of Dorrobo.
“This project is more than just a structure; it represents opportunity, growth, and stronger farming activities that will boost the local economy. It will empower our market women and men, improve trade, and bring new life to the district,” he stated.
However, some critics have described the structure as not modern, citing the absence of selling tables, electricity, and other facilities.
Despite the criticism, residents welcomed the initiative, noting that it is the first market hall constructed in Dorrobo in decades.
“Since the 90s, no market hall has been in the whole of Dorrobo clan, and this is just the first of its kind. We are grateful to our representative,” Martha Tarsue, a local businesswoman, said during a radio interview over the weekend.
The newly completed market hall comprises a selling space and a toilet facility and is expected to be officially dedicated in the coming weeks.
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