Monrovia – United States African Development Foundation (USADF) and the Liberia Engineering & Geo-Tech Consultant (LEG Consultant) have signed a two-year grant agreement aimed at the betterment of rural Liberians living standard.
Making remarks during the signing ceremony Wednesday, September 25, in Totota, Bong County, USADF Country Coordinator to Liberia, Mr. Peter Hne Wilson said the agreement will mainly focus on two major components — installation of bio-fuel processing oil machine and a home solar system.
Mr. Wilson narrated that rural dwellers have been finding it difficult when it comes to the lighting system, something he termed as a major cause to the growth and development of rural communities.
According to him, the oil processing machine and the home solar system will improve the livelihood of rural community dwellers.
“What we want to do is to improve the livelihood of those residence and transform their lives,” he stated.
The USADF country coordinator encouraged community dwellers to begin to make larger farms for the betterment of the country and community.
He further stated that the success of the grants depends on the corporation of benefiting communities.
The grants’ duration is for two years beginning from September 2019 to September 2021.
Also speaking, the president and Chief Executive Officer of LEG-Tech Consultant, Mr. William T. Thompson, added that the people of Salala District, where Totata is, will be relieved from electricity problem.
Mr. Thompson believes that the development of Liberia depends on the private sector so the government and donors should begin partnering with this sector.
“I strongly believe that the development of any nation depends on the private sector. The more innovative means that young people become, that’s how our country will be developed,” the LEG CEO said.
He stated that the social-economic development of a country depends on the youthful generation adding that it is about time that Liberian youth take up the developmental drive of the country.
He pledged his organization’s commitment in helping to improve the living standard of rural Liberians.
He urged Liberia’s development partners to begin investing in the country’s young people. He further stated that the young people are ready to move Liberia forward.
The LEG CEO used the occasion to urge young university graduates not to depend on government jobs but should find ways of creating jobs.
“This is time for us to graduate from just achieving diplomas from various universities and looking for areas of employment. This is about time when we graduate from universities, we should think about providing job opportunities for other young people; that’s the only way this country can move forward,” he said.
He thanked USADF for the confidence repose in his organization.
Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Mr. Joseph Urey said the agreement stands to create “self-employment” for farmers.
He said the agreement will also help better the lives of villagers, who will have palms to produce more gallons of oil.
“We want to say thanks to USADF for their corporation and support to LEG. I can assure you that this will provide self-employment for us, and better the lives of our citizens in the district,” he said.
Urey narrated that their traditional way of processing palm oil can lead to them losing over 30% of their oil, but with the new processing machine, it will help improve their production.
Touching on the new solar lighting system, he said most fire accidents will be reduced drastically.
He pledged the district’s unflinching support to USADF and LEG towards the project.
Giving the overview of the project, the project Director of LEG Consultant, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey said the project will employ over 32 palm farmers in the district.
He believes that with the oil processing machine, farmers in Zota District, especially “Gomue” will now easily process their oil.
He also stated that electricity being a major challenge in the country, but with the help of the solar lights, Zota residents will have reasons to smile.
Dr. Urey is the President of Salvation Army Polytechnic and the Country Representative of Landeas in Liberia.
According to him, the light will be sold to community dwellers for a reasonable price.
“The Gomue renewable energy for economic growth project will increase the capacity of 32 households as direct beneficiaries and indirectly benefit over 160 women, children and men.
It will also provide low cost solar power to 480 households (direct benefit) and indirect benefit of 2400 men, women and children in Zota District, Bong County,” Dr. Urey added.
LEG-Tech Consultant is a Liberian company with the goal of raising the standard of living for Liberians, particularly rural Liberians, by engaging in profitable livelihood activities.