Monrovia – In the wake of the rainy season that has left many roads in deplorable conditions in the country and an effort to promote community development has been lauded.
Report by David S. Johnson, Intern, MediaAid Foundation, 0776315864/0886315864
The Chairman of the Block A Community, Cotton Tree, on the Monrovia, Kakata highway has lauded the Liberia Women Democracy Radio now situated in Baptist Seminary Community for supporting the construction of roads and slender concrete poles for the access to electricity in the community.
Baptist Seminary, Block A Community Chairman, Fred Barchue said the radio station has embarked on publicity that has brought other stakeholders and government officials like Senator George Weah, Senator Geraldine Doe Sheriff, and Deputy Lands and Mines Minister to the community as they also worked on its road project which had firstly been the community’s effort.
He said due to the relocation of the station in the community, they were at first angry when the road condition worsened due to the radio station relocation exercise in the community but are very grateful that many residents have contributed immensely to the road work and the publicity drive by the radio station is also helping in the process.
Residents said due to the deplorable road condition, motorcyclists always charge passengers high fees, something they described as worrisome. “It is a process to get the road completed because of the cost of materials and transportation, but we will do our best,” says Barchue.
He further commented on the electricity project saying that the radio station has decided to carry on the project in other to provide electricity to the community for low cost to an unspecified amount then the current US$45 per amp being charged by commercial providers of electricity.
This project he stressed is undertaken through community partnership, through the provision of the electricity and the poles by LWDR on one hand and the community paying for the transmission of the electricity by paying for the wires on the other.
According to him the issue of armed robbery is prevalent and as the community embarks on forming vigilant groups to help tackle the problem due to the lack of electricity at night which allegedly hampers the movement of the Police force this project will be truly great upon its completion.
Speaking to this paper, Vanetta Johnson Freeman, assistant coordinator for broadcast of the Liberian Women Democracy Radio, LWDR said the electricity project is one that the station does not want to create much awareness about to the community so as to avoid any further embarrassment from the community if unfortunately the project does not reach completion but admits in the publicity drive effort to help with the road project.
She however appreciated the work the station is carrying on towards providing help to this part of Monrovia.
Meanwhile community residents, have extended heartfelt thanks to the station saying this will be a real help to that community because of the high cost of electricity from local electricity providers which has hampered many homes.
They stressed the need for others who have the capacity to follow the good example of the radio station.