President George Manneh Weah has instructed defense authorities here to immediately develop a policy framework for the reactivation of the Armed Forces Agriculture Company to help government develop the agriculture sector as a tool of economic transformation and poverty reduction.
In his message Tuesday, 11 February at the 63rd Armed Forces Day celebration in Monrovia, the Commander – in – Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) said it is his intention to have the AFL actively collaborate in the process of developing the agriculture sector as a tool of economic transformation and poverty reduction.
“I therefore hereby instruct the Minister of National Defense and the Chief of Staff of the AFL to begin the immediate development of a policy framework for the reactivation of the Armed Forces Agriculture Company,” he says.
President Weah instructs that this should also include the identification and assessment of all lands belonging to the Armed Forces of Liberia that are arable and feasible for agriculture productivity.
Further, President Weah assures that the welfare of the Liberian troops remains a priority of his government, saying he feels a duty and obligation to ensure that the children of military families receive a quality education.
To achieve this commitment, he instructs the Minister of Defense to work out modalities in collaboration with the Minister of Education for the immediate renovation of all schools within military barracks here.
President Weah also directs the authorities to develop the necessary plans to consolidate these schools under a single district to be named the “Armed Forces of Liberia School District.”
Under these arrangements, President Weah indicates that qualified administrators and instructors will be provided and supervised by the Ministry of Defense and monitored by the Ministry of Education.
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To boost the government’s efforts in these arrangements, President Weah adds that bilateral partners will be engaged for their support in the revitalization of the new Agriculture Company and the consolidation of the military schools.President Weah says he is proud of the versatility of the Armed Forces and the diversity of skill sets and capabilities to be found among its membership.
Through the Army Corps of Engineers, he notes that they have participated in civil works of all kinds, including the construction of their own barracks, as well as the 14th Military Hospital.
Following his “final inspection” of the military hospital earlier on Monday, 10 February, President Weah reports that the project is most satisfactory and is nearing completion to be dedicated soon for full operation.
It is expected to cater to the critical health needs of servicemen and women and their families, as well as citizens living in nearby communities.
He expresses thanks and appreciation to Liberia’s partners including the United States Government, the People’s Republic of China, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Ghana and the Arab Republic of Egypt for their continuous support to the Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces of Liberia.
He also thanks the ECOWAS Advisory Training Team, saying the mentorship and training that it provides will continue to enhance both the administrative capacities and operational capability of the AFL.
