Tubmanburg – Newly elected Grand Cape Mount County Victor Varney Watson has vowed to diligently work towards securing ‘meaningful resources’ to address the numerous challenges confronting the county.
Report by Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
Mr. Watson, a lecturer at the Cuttington University, contested the just ended by-election on the ticket of the People’s Unification Party (PUP) and won 6,920 votes amounting to 27.73 percent of the total number of valid votes cast in a race that was contested by seven candidates.
He has since been declared winner by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
In a statement of appreciation released at the weekend, the Senator-elect promised to work for the betterment of Grand Cape Mount and its people.
“Whether it is affordable and accessible healthcare, agriculture, investing in our schools, building our roads, protecting our environment or supporting our local tourism, I will never stop working hard to deliver for our communities,” he assured.
He added that with the help of his colleagues at the National Legislature, he will assiduously work to enhance the forward match of the county.
Mr. Watson indicated that the execution of the constitutional responsibilities of a lawmaker, including oversight, representation and lawmaking, also remain his priority.
He appreciated Cape Mountaineers [people of the county] for their aspirations and concerns raised and shared during the campaign period, but challenged them to collectively work together in fostering lasting development in the county.
Mr. Watson urged defeated candidates to proffer ideas, suggestions and initiatives that will better the lives of citizens, and move the county forward.
“This should not be the end of your contribution for our beloved Cape Mount. In Grand Cape Mount County, there are lots of opportunities and we count on your leadership and innovation which will take our people from poverty to prosperity,” he noted.
‘Thank you’ Voters
The Senator-elect further commended the electorate for the confidence reposed in him.
“Not only have you entrusted me with the responsibility of speaking on your behalf as your Senator, but you also continue to provide me with the ideas and feedbacks that I need to do it as it should be done. For that, I thank you once again,” he added.
“To the voters, elders and comrades from our revolution, those who voted us and those who didn’t vote us I say thank you…Cape Mount won, and thank you CAPE MOUNT!
“I will never take your support for granted and I will continue to advocate and work hard for our County,” he promised.
The vacancy for the Grand Cape Mount County Senatorial election was caused by the death of Senator Edward B. Dagoseh.
The late Senator died at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Sinkor, Monrovia.
Until his death, he was an Executive Committee Member of the former ruling Unity Party (UP).
Unfortunately, he was among the eight UP senators of the 30-member Senate, who were suspended by the party for their role played in the impeachment of former Associate Justice Kabineh Ja’neh.
Despite being one of the founding counties of Liberia, Grand Cape Mount County faces several economic and infrastructural challenges. The county was established in 1856, nine years after the independence of Liberia.
Some of the challenges confronting residents of the county include lack of adequate healthcare delivery, access to safe drinking water, job opportunities, and bad roads condition.