Temperature - European Investment Bank

WEST AFRICAN POWER POOL (WAPP) PÖYRY ENERGY LTD.
Mount Coffee HPP ESIA and RAP 2012-09-18
ESIA Report Page 93
The main economic activity besides farming is charcoal making. Their main crop is
cassava which is harvested only once a year. Production of 50 kg is valued at an average
of 1’200 LD. The low production can be attributed to traditional farming techniques
under rainfed agriculture. The population also hunts and fishes. In terms of commerce,
Wenekai is known for charcoal and cassava production. On the other hand, Wenekai
being an open community, goods such as rice, salt, soap, etc. are brought there. Average
family income is about 20’000 LD per year. The main market is in Bensonville, which
serves all the settlements around, with the big market day on Saturdays.
The settlement has access to farm-to-market road but hardly do cars go into the village.
Almost all vehicles that enter the village go to pick up charcoal. The roads are all dirt
roads and paths interconnecting the different houses or leading from the settlement are
in bad conditions. There are also footbridges leading to the farms, where most people
are living. The footbridges are simple, made up of two palm tree trunks lying side by
side. Few persons have radios and cell phones. The phone network is poor. There are no
sports or recreation grounds.
Most common health problem in this settlement is malaria. Patients walk to Raymond
Camp health post for treatment. The source of water is from a nearby creek. Waste is
thrown all around while close by bushes are used for toilets.
The settlement’s formal social structure is headed by a village chief appointed by the
elders of the village. Assisting the village chief are the head of the women wing, the
youth wing along with few elders. Wenekai is within Montserrado County, Careysburg
District, Township of Harrisburg – which has 1st Ward, 2nd Ward and 3rd Ward.
Wenekai is found within the 2nd Ward. In terms of social institutions, there are no
churches/mosques nor schools. Kids walk every school day to Raymond Camp.
13.3.5.2 Shellen (Shilling) Settlement
Shellen village was established 1996 by people leaving the displaced center from Todee
District. Shellen is said to mean shilling. According to story, Mr. John had a British coin
which was so strange to many of the people travelling with him. He then decided that
what was written on the coin become the name of the Town.
The main sources of livelihood in Shellen (Shilling) are farming and vegetable
gardening. It is noted that rice production is not common. Root crop like cassava is
commonly planted and harvested. The vegetables that are usually grown in the area are
pepper, beans. However, these vegetables are most likely just enough for their
household consumption. Like Wenekai, Shellen (Shilling) does not know the number of
hectares on which it sits. There is no soil classification.
The thirty-seven persons (37) of the village live in eight makeshift type of housing. A
village chief appointed by the elders heads the village; assisted by the village head of
the women wing, the youth wing along with few elders. Shellen is in Montserrado
County, Careysburg District, Township of Harrisburg, 2nd Ward and 3rd Ward. In
terms of social institutions, there are no churche/mosque nor school. Kids walk every
school day to Raymond Camp. There are two community organizations for the male and
female – the men Koo and the female Koo. One of the functions of these groups are to
assist each member do his/her farm work.