By Lewis S Teh
The Monrovia City Corporation says it has secured US$200,000 from the mayor’s migration council with support from global fund to fight climate change and climate resilience in West Point Township and New Kru Town, two densely populated electoral districts within Montserrado County.
Providing an overview at the official launch of the Mongrow project, an employee of the Monrovia City Corporation, Fayiah A. Yonda said the process leading to the launch began several years back when climate change and climate resilience including sea erosion destroyed lives and properties, which led Mayor Jefferson Koijee to appeal to international partners for assistance.
According to Mr. Yonda, following the appeal by Mayor Koijee, Liberia was given an opportunity and the Mongrow Project was contested for by over 200 cities out of which only five cities became successful, including Monrovia.
“Today, we want to inform our people that this is designed to target climate change and climate residence”, adding that it is also designed to have over 20,000 trees planted across the coastal belt, including the Japan Freeway.
“We all know how disaster has destroyed our various communities, and the mayor was asked to select two communities that will benefit from the project; it’s against this backdrop that West Point and New Kru Town were selected as two beneficiary communities” Mr. Yonda adds.
According to him, regarding issues relating to tree planting, climate change and climate residence, the project contacted an institution that will be given to mandate to plant 20,000 trees.
Making remarks at the official launch, Mayor Jefferson T. Koijee says the project should not be mistaken for a political project saying, “This project we’re launching today is meant to bring hope to citizens.”
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]
Both New Kru Town and West Point are unique; to those who say nothing good can come out of these two communities, [they] must be joking, because the launch of this Mongrow project is a testament to the many good things that have come from the two communities.
I owe nobody apologies to select the two communities; we share the condition of our people, the mayor continues.
He throws jibe at politicians, telling residents of the two communities that those who are desirous of becoming town chief, ask them if they have rented a room in West Point or New Kru Town and they won’t answer you.
The Mayor reveals that discussion regarding the launch of the project began two years ago, calling on residents to work collectively to ensure its realization.
“Let us protect those trees that will be planted, because this will bring a lot of opportunities”, he pleads.
In remarks, the CEO of Shade Liberia, the company that won the bid to carry out the actual trees planting process, Mr. Tarnue Dorbor said the project will target 8,500 miles of road, adding that this will stabilize the sea, and allow fishermen to catch more fish.
“We want to assure you that we will do our best with the contract given us; we will do all in our power to bring this project to realization.”
Mr. Dorbor calls on Mayor Koijee and community residents to look after those trees that will be planted to avoid criminals from stealing them.
The Commissioner of West Point. William Wea, says it is important to recognize the mayor migration council for their tireless efforts, noting that if not for them, the two communities won’t become beneficiaries.
“The way we will manage this project will provide more opportunities for other communities that are experiencing flood and climate change”, Commission Wea stresses.
Samuel Weah, a representative aspirant in district#16, extols the mayor migration council for the project.
“We will make sure that this project will be protected; we will take ownership of it because it will serve as a blessing to the people of New Kru Town and West Point”, Weah says. Editing by Jonathan Browne
