Deputy MIA boss stresses peaceful transition here

Deputy Internal Affairs Minister for Administration Varney A. Sirleaf has challenged Liberians to remain resilient and non-violent as the country moves towards democratic elections next year in order to ensure a peaceful transition.

“If we can have peaceful elections in 2017, I (Minster Sirleaf) believe that development shall be for Liberia forever,” he said. Addressing the 40th anniversary of the Liberia Marketing Association or LMA recently in Paynesville, the Deputy Minister said government’s decentralization program is targeting three areas: administrative, fiscal and political decentralization respectively.

He added that under administrative decentralization, government is concentrated on the establishment of one-stop shop center in each county, where citizens who want to obtain driver’s License, birth certificate, passports and other important documents will need not to come to Monrovia but rather access those services in the various counties without any hindrance.

According to Minister Sirleaf, in the absence of the LMA, farmers and traders will not be able to freely come together to buy and sell, so marketers are an important component of the Liberian society.

He noted that as a result of good leadership role played by the LMA president, Madam LusuK.Sloan, the association was able to organize such a unique program that climaxed with a queen contest in observance of the 40th anniversary celebration.

On behalf of President Ellen Johnson and the Minister of Internal Affairs Dr. Henrique Tokpa, the DMA presented a cheque for one hundred thousand Liberian Dollars as government’s contribution toward a US$75,000 multipurpose hall project being undertaken by the association, and urged Madam Sloan and her leadership to fulfill their dream.

Receiving the cheque, the LMA President lauded President Sirleaf for her continued contribution to the initiatives of marketers, noting that she is not just a President, but a real mother. Madam Sloan thanked officials of government, local and international partners for gracing the ceremony.

By Zee Roberts