– Montserrado County Superintendent discloses
By: Leila B. Gbati
Monrovia, March 2, 2023, China Union, which operated in Liberia but left due to a breakdown in operations, is expected to return and resume business in Liberia.
The pronouncement was made by Montserrado County Superintendent and Vice Chair of the Superintendent Council of Liberia, Florence Freeman-Brandy, on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia.
Speaking on government achievements in the county, Sup. Brandy said that China Union was one of the biggest contributors to the county in terms of social development funds.
Sup. Brandy said that the company operated in Liberia but later filed for bankruptcy and left the country, but recently wrote to Montserrado, Bong, and Margibi Counties to express their willingness to come back and restart operations.
According to her, before the company left, it owed the counties six years under review but is appealing that they are not in the position to pay for the six years and instead will be paying 4 million USD to the counties.
She mentioned that out of the 4 million, Bong County will receive the highest share, while Montserrado and Margibi will share the balance.
“We do not know how the division of the money will be yet, but we are hoping that very soon the three counties will meet and decide how the money will be split out and whether it will be used for district development or the county will undertake some needed projects,” she added.
Sup. Brandy also said that the money is intended for projects and to host the upcoming county council meeting with representatives from the 17 electoral districts.
Furthermore, the Mont. County Superintendent highlighted a few achievements and projects that have been made and are ongoing by the county administration, including Bentol City Civil Compound Bridge, George Manneh Weah Peace Park in Bentol, Marpeh Bridge in Todee, Pipeline Community Town Hall in District #3, Mount Barclay Health Center in Johnsonville Township, District #2, West Point Town Hall that hosts the office of the Commissioner, and St. Paul Bridge Town Hall, Borough of New Kru Town, District #16.
She also mentioned meaningful projects that President Weah did, especially the ongoing road connectivity in various communities, namely the Barnesville to Johnsonville, Paynesville to Johnsonville, Mount Barclay City to Dixville, Doe Community to Logan Town Broad Street roads,
Meanwhile, she appreciated the President for the meaningful road projects, including the modern market structures for marketers who are selling to be able to meet their daily needs and send their children to school.
Sup. Brandy also extended thanks to development partners, especially UN Women, for the construction of the Heritage and Culture Center in Songay Town, Todee District, as a means of empowering zoes and chiefs to do away with female genital mutilation, which was recently banned in Montserrado by the traditional people through the Ministry of Gender.
“Montserrado is forming its county council, which will be called Montserrado County Council. The council will become the decision-making body of the county, taking it from the legislators into the hands of its county council. The council will consist of two chiefs, one elder, a woman two youth and two civil society representatives, and one person with a disability,” she asserted.
She, therefore, extended thanks to the Montserrado Legislative Caucus for all of the support they have given to the county, including Senator Saah Joseph for all of the buses he brought and turned over to them, emphasizing that today the county is running its transport system, where they can generate revenue to be able to help the people and reduce the transportation cost for the people living in the county.
She encouraged all residents of Montserrado of voting age to take advantage of the voter registration that is about to start, emphasizing that they should register and hold their cards whether they want to vote or not so that tomorrow they cannot regret it.
