Over $700,000 raised for new district

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and her entourage joined local officials in the newly created Tehr District of Bomi County, western Liberia and raised a little over L$700,000 to help carry on development. Local officials in the district say their main target right now is a commissioner compound that is said to be under construction.

President Sirleaf made her personal contribution of US$1,000 towards the fundraising, while other officials, local authorities, clans, organizations and individuals made their contribution on Saturday, 14 May.
President Sirleaf said she was happy that the people of Tehr District personally took on a development initiative, saying they have set a record that she wants everybody to follow.

She also expressed happiness that majority of the officials on the high table at the program were from Bomi County, suggesting that Bomi was about to do something for itself.
President Sirleaf applauded Tehr District Commissioner Mr. Aaron B. Boima for his farsightedness in bringing up the idea, as she recalled how the commissioner engaged she and House Speak Alex Tyler and said he wanted to see his people do something for themselves.

Additionally, President Sirleaf thanked the people of Bomi for making farms, saying she saw many farms along the road while travelling to Tehr District. Earlier, Bomi Superintendent Samuel Browne said he considered President Sirleaf “the mother of modern development in Liberia,” noting that today under her administration County Service Centers are being built and the one in his county will soon be dedicated.

He said the road from Tubmanburg was recently given to a contractor, and work will soon begin. County leaders including Speaker Tylker, Sen. Sando Johnson and others pledged continued support to the district.
Commissioner Boima said with the help of President Sirleaf and Speaker Tyler, “we can now say we have a district,” adding that his dream has come true in terms of his projection on money.

He said the district was created without budgetary allocation, and they have to call on the president and speaker to come and help bring development to the district. He says the money raised will be used to complete the construction of the commissioner compound.

By Winston W. Parley-Edited by Othello B. Garblah