LOIC-Gbarnga Strangulated

The Liberia Opportunity Industrialization Center or LOIC is currently faced with financial predicament as a result delays by the National Oil Company of Liberia or NOCAL to pay tuition fees for its scholarship students at the institution.

Speaking to this paper Wednesday, the head of the LOIC, the Rev. Peter Tooman noted that over 300 students were undergoing training in various disciplines at the institution under the sponsorship of NOCAL.

The educator stated that though they were asked to enroll the students based on NOCAL’s mandate, there was no clear understanding between the two institutions, indicating that every student enrolled at the institution for this cycle did so without charge due to a mandate from the institution’s head office in Monrovia that NOCAL was responsible for the students.

He said at first, students enrolling at the LOIC paid minimum fees to help run some of their programs. Mr. Tooman also noted that due to NOCAL’s failure to meet up with its financial obligation, LOIC-Gbarnga office has enrolled more than the required number of students of 200, which, he said, has made it more challenging for the institution.

He appealed to the government to quickly help in the training of the youthful population by providing funding to organizations, including his, as the future would depend on them based on their preparations.

Rev. Tooman expressed the belief the act of government of Liberia continuously promising and not fulfilling was not healthy for the technical development of the young people. The LOIC is presently offering training in the fields of cosmetology, computer, as well as carpentry among others.

Bong Supt. Presents 32-Seated Bus

At long last, the Authorities of Bong County have turned over a bus purchased by the county to the Bong County Sports Association for use by the County teams.

At the turning-over ceremony at the David Kuyon Sports Stadium after Jorquelleh District Two won the just-ended district league, Bong County Superintendent Selena Polson-Mappay expressed heartfelt gratitude to the County Legislative Caucus for their support towards the acquisition of the bus.

Madam Mappy noted that gone were the days when Bong County borrowed buses and other vehicles for use by the county teams to travel for games. According to our Bong County correspondent, the 32 seated coastal bus costs US$65,000.00.

Receiving the keys to the bus, Caucus Chairman George Mulbah lauded the citizens for their supports in ensuring the purchase of the bus, emphasizing that the citizens can only be appreciated for their level of cooperation so that Bong County can maintain its status as one of the greatest counties in the country, especially with its strategic location in the heart of Liberia.

Representative Mulbah said the bus was bought out of the county’s social development funds.