Bong, Nimba Benefit from 200 Pro-Poor Housing Units -President Weah’s PAPD Tentacles Stretching Leeward

In continuation of his development drive as enshrined in his government’s lofty Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), President George Weah on December 1, 2020 broke grounds for construction of one hundred housing units in Marshamsu, Salala District Lower Bong County, Writes Patrick S. Tokpah.

The project which is expected to be constructed in three months, according to the Executive Director of the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LAC) Pepci Quiwu Yeke, will help put smiles on the faces of the people of Bong County.

Mr. Yeke told the press,  minutes after the groundbreaking ceremony that 15 towns and villages are expected to benefit from the project as they have already identified ten towns and villages and are scouting the remaining five soon.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, President George Weah told the happy beneficiaries of Bong County that the gesture is in fulfillment of a promise he made to them in 2017 to change their lives for the better.

The Liberian leader said his government is committed to change and with hard work and collectivity mainly from the people, they will realize their desired goals.

In remarks, the town chief of Marshansue, Joseph D. Flomo, as well as Salala District Representative Moima Briggs Mensah, both thanked President George Weah and his government for the meaningful and timely project extended to their county.

As Representative Mensah warned her people to take ownership of the project, the town chief of Marshamsu promised to work with the contractors to ensure that the project becomes a success.

The project, which is an extension of the Pro Poor Housing Units under the Presidential project, will also be extended to Nimba County as the LACE Boss put the cost of both Nimba and Bong Counties projects at US3 million.

The housing units will include back and front porches, living room and flush toilet, among other facilities that the 1,000 beneficiaries in both Bong and Nimba County are expected to benefit from upon the climax of the project in early 2021.

Meanwhile, in continuation of his Pro-Poor development drive, President Weah broke ground for a road project in Nimba County.

“I will talk less and do more work especially for my people,” President Weah assured his people in Nimba during the December 2, 2020 groundbreaking ceremony.

Speaking at the occasion in Ganta City, Nimba County to mark the commencement of the first phase of Ganta to Saclapea road project, the Liberian leader urged his people to work with him to develop Liberia.

“From today on and going forward, you can call me bad road and village medicine,” President Weah added.

According to him the first phase of the project will be exclusively financed by the Government of Liberia.

The US$30.3M 39km road project is expected to be completed in 22 months to be accompanied by the construction of seven bridges.

The road will also upon completion bring great relief to the people of the region and Liberians in general, especially farmers who have over the period found it difficult to bring their produce to town due to bad roads networks.

Meanwhile, negotiations are in the making to source additional funding for the second phase of the project which will begin in 2021 from Saclapea to Tappita and subsequently to Zwedru and other parts of the Southeastern region of Liberia.

The project as part of the full implementation also saw the official signing ceremony of the project with the Minister of Finance and Development Planning Samuel Tweah and acting Public Works Minister Ruth Cooker Collins, to mark the full execution of the historic project.

Beneficiaries at the same time praised the government for the immense development initiatives in their County and the Country at large.

In another development, the President broke ground for 100 Pro-Poor Housing Units in Pawpaw Village, Nimba County.

Residents of Pawpaw Village in Nimba County are now the latest beneficiaries of the Presidential Pro Poor Housing Units Project.

The signature and historic project of the Liberian leader is taking the common people from mat and mud huts to modern and self-contained structures.

According to President George Weah, the gesture is in fulfillment of a promise he made to the people of Liberia, adding that the 15 political subdivisions of the country under the Presidential pro poor housing units project will benefit from the initiative.

He said unlike before, it is time to give the Liberian people dignity for their labor and to as well improve their living conditions.

The Liberian leader speaking on Wednesday December 2, 2020 used the occasion to urge the beneficiaries to take the project as their own and collaborate with the local contractors in order to meet the goals and objectives of the project.

He said with the resources already available and the manpower here in Nimba, the project will be completed as scheduled.

“I want to tell my story through the people and though they say I do not know anything but I am doing something for my people”, he pointed out.

According to the Executive Director of the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE) Pepci Quiwu Yeke, thousands of residents in over ten towns and villages in Nimba County will benefit from the one hundred housing units.

“The structures upon completion will be beautiful, well furnished, very comfortable and convenient with commode, face basin, electricity and many others for the respective beneficiaries”, Mr. Yeke assured the people of Nimba County.

He encouraged them to take advantage of the project and maintain it for their own benefit.

Speaking further and as a means of empowering the locals, Mr. Yeke said all construction materials will be purchased in Nimba County as contractors in line with the Ministry of Youth and Sports vocational education and skills training young people program will also build the units.

“You will build your own homes and we will pay you for it”, the LACE boss disclosed.

Following the ground breaking ceremony and in a move to fast track the project, local contractors are expected to begin work in five days’ time, he told the happy beneficiaries.

Also making remarks were Senator Prince Johnson and the Coalition for Democratic Change Senatorial Candidate in Nimba County Jeremiah Koung both of whom praised President George Weah and his government for expanding and increasing developments in their County.

Currently the county is benefiting from roads infrastructure, markets and soon to be constructed one hundred housing units in ninety days.