Wanhassan, Lofa County – Lofa County Superintendent J. Lavelah Massaquoi has cautioned young people in the county not to allow themselves to be used by politicians for selfish agendas, warning that doing so will not yield any meaningful benefits for them.
By Augustus D.R. Bortue
Speaking on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the official dedication of the Fangoma Dam in the Wanhassan Administrative District, Supt. Massaquoi emphasized the need for young people to focus on personal development and contribute meaningfully to the county’s growth.
“It is important for our young people to be themselves and work for their own benefit,” Supt. Massaquoi said. “If we don’t work, there will be no money in our pockets and no food on our tables. What is important now is that we work together as one people.”
The Fangoma Dam Project, valued at US$650,000 and funded by the Government of Liberia, was implemented by Chinese construction firm Liberia Qiang Shen Group. It targets over 250 acres of lowland for year-round rice farming and was completed in just 70 days. The initiative forms part of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s “Liberians, Feed Yourselves” Agenda, which seeks to boost food production and reduce the country’s dependence on rice imports.
Supt. Massaquoi praised President Boakai and Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah for prioritizing Lofa County in national development efforts, saying the dam’s reconstruction aligns with the county’s development agenda, particularly in agriculture.
“This project is in line with our development agenda. What we must do as citizens is work together, reconcile with one another, and be peaceful. If we inject politics into everything, we will not achieve anything,” he stressed.
The Superintendent further urged the people of Lofa to take advantage of the current opportunity, noting that with a son of the soil now serving as President, the county is in a strategic position to benefit from national programs.
“If we don’t utilize this opportunity now, we will regret it later—especially the youth. When the President leaves office, we will be left behind, and nobody will listen to us. This is the time for us to benefit from what we missed in the past,” he said.
Highlighting the benefits of the dam, Supt. Massaquoi said the project will not only provide food but also create jobs for citizens across three districts in the Gbandi Chiefdom.
“This project will provide employment. It will produce food and help us become self-sufficient. Let us not focus on the name of the area—what matters is the impact this project will have on our lives,” he said.
In addition to agriculture, Supt. Massaquoi touched on improvements in road infrastructure, noting that access from Monrovia to Voinjama has improved significantly.
“At least now, the road from Monrovia to Voinjama is passable, which means farmers can transport their produce to market. But we still need to fix roads within the districts,” he added.
He disclosed that the road project from Vahun Junction to Vahun is currently under procurement by the Ministry of Public Works, and bidding has already taken place.
However, Supt. Massaquoi warned that development cannot be achieved in a divided community.
“If we are not united, development will not come. We must not blame the President if we fail to achieve our goals in six years. He has given us the tools—we must use them wisely,” he concluded.
