MONROVIA – As part of efforts to continually improve the well-being and living conditions of the people of Grand Kru County and decentralized developments; Deputy Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, in his first week of citizens’ engagement, has donated 25 pieces of solar streets light to Niplaikpo in Jloh Statutory District.
The City of Niplai, is the first traditional city of Grand Kru County on the border of Sinoe County, and is famously known as the “City of No Retreat – No Turning Back” where citizens across the country go to seek solutions from modern gods, Under the Orange Tree.
The Grand Kru County District#2 Representative also donated 30 bags of cement for the renovation of the Niplai Public Elementary School and formally launch his Safe and Clean Water Project, with a commitment of installing two handpumps in April.
Elder Nicholas Treuh and Clan Chief David Nagbe thanked the lawmaker for the light and bags of cement but encouraged him to go “Under the Orange Tree.”
Niplai City Mayor Oliver Trueh, oldma Annie Basseh — whose husband and five other relatives were killed by Ebola in 2014 and widow Helena Tarpeh, appealed to the Deputy
Speaker to intervene in their retirement process to either get their just severance benefits or remain employees of government.
In Wakpo, Bolloh Statutory District, the Deputy Speaker
(City of No Retreat), after listening to the problems faced by the people, commit in this month to construct two handpumps, donated 10 bags of cement and cash to a church project, and early 2022, it is expected to break grounds for Wakpo Guest House.
Chief Edward Nyuwen, Clan Chief Albert Nyanforh and City Mayor Melvin Turay, expressed their thanks in the Kru vernacular “ah kon besieh.” (We thank God)
As part of his citizens’ engagement, in Worriken, Cllr. Koffa broke kolanuts, and committed 50 rubber chairs and 10 bags of cement toward the ongoing construction of the Worriken City Hall, where he was awarded goat for his development initiatives, of which he is popularly known as ‘Talk and Do.’
Chief Theophilus Doe and youth representative Doe Subo described the Deputy Speaker visits as timely and rewarding.
In Doeswen, Bolloh Statutory District, the Deputy Speaker has committed to fund the daily operations of the Bolloh Doeswen and Buah Jlateken Clinics, by employing qualified nurses, Lab technicians and support staff, providing essential drugs and electricity.
Cllr. Koffa said the responsibility of the clinics is in continuation of his way of contribution in building a resilient healthcare for the county, and Liberia at large.
The Deputy Speaker intervention will further buttress his initial efforts to the healthcare delivery of residents in Buah Jlateken and Bolloh Doeswen.
Bolloh Statutory District Development Superintendent Ousman Sheriff said the Deputy Speaker commitment doesn’t come as a surprise following his numerous contributions over the years in the county.
Meanwhile, in continuation of the traditional constituency-focused activities, which include citizens’ engagement aimed at discussing issues pertaining to development, the well being of the people and disclosure of plans and activities of both the Legislature and the Government, Deputy Speaker Hon. Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa is expected to begin week two with Bolloh Jlateken, Weayen and Forpoh Statutory District.
According to the itinerary, the Grand Kru County District #2 Representative and entourage, will visit more than 45 towns (communities) in six (6) Statutory Districts in Grand Kru County, covering the period of 24 days either by the use of vehicle, walking, canoe or motorcycle.
In addition to the engagements with constituencies, the Deputy Speaker is also expected to do presentation of the 3rd Annual Message in Barforwin – Bolloh, launch a safe and clean drinking water program and serve as guest speaker of the 2021 Press Union of Liberia (PUL) Congress.
Accordingly, during the annual report, five persons are expected to represent each of the six statutory district, to include the district superintendent, a commissioner, a Paramount Chief, a women representative and a youth representative. The district superintendent in consultation with the County Superintendent will select the remaining four delegates to makeup the five-person’s delegation. Others delegates anticipated to attend the annual report will include the local county authority and officials of Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), among others.
This year’s report will catalog achievements of Representative Cllr. Fonati Koffa over the years as Grand Kru District #2 lawmakers. The report is expected to also outline challenges during the three years as the agent of the district. The theme of this year’s report is: “Three years of success and challenges.”
It may be recalled, the 2018 Annual Constituency Report was delivered in Geeken, Buah Statutory District, while the 2019 Annual Constituency Report was presented through mass media, the Poponebo Newspaper and Radio Ahteenah 102.5 and on his Official Facebook Page, due to the outbreak of the deadly COVID 19 pandemic. The Covid-19 global death toll marked yet another grim milestone, taking more than million lives.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker will climax his constituency visit by serving as Guest Speaker at the 2021 Press Union of Liberia (PUL) Congress on Monday, May 3, in Barclayville, Grand Kru County.
This will be the second time for Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa to serve as guest speaker during the PUL congress.
It may be recalled, in 2020 at the auditorium of the University of Liberia, Cllr. Koffa, cautioned Liberian journalists to remain the pacesetter and plays a “significantly important role in the society.”