Monrovia – The Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) through its Mayor, Madam Cyvette Gibson and the Accra Municipal Authority (AMA) through its Mayor, Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije have signed a memorandum of Cooperation for resilience.
Report by: Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
It can be recalled that the city of Paynesville was in May of this year selected for the 100RC among 325 cities that applied for the worldwide network based on its willingness, ability and need to become resilient in the face of future challenges.
Accordingly, member cities were selected upon the recommendation of distinguished judges from around the world.
As member of the 100RC, Paynesville will gain access tools, funding, technical expertise and other resources to build resilience to the challenges of the 21st century.
Speaking at the signing of the two-city agreement, PCC Boss Madam Gibson said signing of the agreement is an exciting milestone for the two cities (Paynesville and Accra).
She noted that the partnership will enable both Paynesville and Accra build resilience to the present and future shocks and stresses.
The Paynesville Mayor pointed out that though Paynesville is not the capital city of Liberia, like Accra, it is the most densely populated city, geographically the largest municipality, and host the largest commercial district in the Republic of Liberia.
“Paynesville and Accra face many similar challenges, such as massive urban growth, rainfall flooding, sanitation and water management issues.
As a post conflict country, at the end of our 20-years civil crisis, the city inherited a host of additional problems including growth in urban poverty and an increasing demand for basic services such as health care and installation of infrastructure,” said the PCC boss.
“The Accra Municipal Authority under the dynamic leadership of Mayor Alfred Vanderpuije has ensured the city systems such as transportation, water, sanitation, energy, health care, public safety, and education could cope with the influx of new residents within this municipality.
This achievement is one to which all cities aspire to accomplish,” she furthered.
As start of this collaboration, the Paynesville City government head said her city is poised to begin its journey to resilience with sisterly city Accra.
“Our synergy has placed us in the unique position wherein we can build bridges of partnerships, lessons learned, thus enriching the lives of our citizens and changing the way we do business in Africa,” Mayor Gibson indicated.
“As we say in the City of Paynesville, Thanks for helping to “Maintain the Green!” she among other things added.