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Boost for Zubah Town, Duport Road Market - $25k Check From President(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has presented a check of US$25,000 to the Lighthouse Full Gospel Church (LFGC) for the two lots of land hosting the Zubah Town, Duport Road Market in District #4, Montserrado County. She also handed over the deed of the property to the leadership of the marketing association. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf, on behalf of Liberian government, made the presentation to the LFGC at a formal program at the Duport Road Market on Thursday, April 17. The Pastor of the Lighthouse Full Gospel Church Praise Chapel, Rev. G. Uje Khasu, received the check on behalf of the church; while the Superintendent of the Duport Road Market, Ma Martha, received the deed for the property. The marketers have squatted on the property, paying annual fees to the church for the past 17 years. Speaking during the program, the Liberian leader promised that the government will construct a modern market building on the property as funds will be allocated in next year's fiscal budget. She said the market will be accessible to all the surrounding communities of District #4, Montserrado County. "We are pleased today to say, the market women who went through so much for so long can now know that they will have a better place; that they too, like other markets that we have all over the country, can have modern facilities from which they can sell and take care of their children," President Sirleaf said. She made it clear that the check presented to the LFGC for the purchase of the land and funds intended to construct the modern market building is not her personal money; rather it is government funds. "The Government, through my mouth, commit to you that now that we have come this far, to get the land, we will have to do something to give you a modern market," she stressed. President Sirleaf encouraged the introduction of literacy programs at the markets so that marketers can benefit from some education that would equip them to be better business women and men. Touching on other outstanding issues affecting District #4, Montserrado County, including issues relating to pavement of the other segment of the Duport Road after the Rehab Road intersection to the Du River, reconstituting the Paynesville City Council that was brought to her attention, President Sirleaf took note and indicated that at an appropriate time she will respond to them. The Pastor of the Lighthouse Full Gospel Church Praise Chapel, Rev. G. Uje Khasu said he was highly elated at being present at the program in spite of the initial difficulties to have agreed to relinquish the piece of land to the marketers. "Looking at development priorities and what it will do for the greater good of our people, the church resolved to give the land," he said. The National President of the Liberian Marketing Association, Madam Lusu Sloan, thanked President Sirleaf for all the efforts she made in securing the land for the marketers. "Some of our marketers are widows; some are single parents; while some are just struggling. If we had lost this piece of land it would have been a serious problem for them. So let me thank all of you who made it possible to get this land for the marketers," she said. The Superintendent of Montserrado County, Mrs. Florence Freeman Brandy, thanked President Sirleaf for bringing development to the people of District #4. "I can only say thank you and encourage you as you reach out to your people," she said. Superintendent Freeman Brandy admonished all those who have eyes and refuse to see what is going on in this country to wash their faces because development is going on. For his part, District #4 Representative Henry B. Fahnbulleh said he's looking forward to the construction of modern market building that will have a school building, clinic, bank and other facilities that will make the Duport Road Market a one-stop-shop. Copyright FrontPageAfrica. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |