Monrovia – The National Bureau of Concessions (NBC) has honored the outgoing Program Manager of the Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development (EISD) at the UNDP Ms. Joan Vwamu for her extra leadership skills in the implementation of the project.
The EISD project implemented by the NBC and sponsored by the UNDP is designed to build a solid foundation on which Liberia’s extractive sectors can be efficiently and transparently managed for the share benefit of its citizens.
The project, which funding are from the Peace Building Fund is titled “Strengthening the emerging Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSPs) for the non-judicial mitigation of land concession disputes and developing alternative livelihoods for affected communities; prevents land concession conflict escalation and promotes social cohesion”.
The project which began in 2016 according to reports by the NBC has established nine Multi-stakeholders Platforms in eight concession counties and to some extent maintain peace and security through the established MSPs thereby promoting mutual relationship between the concession companies and the communities.
Speaking at the honoring and farewell program, the NBC Director General, Hon. Gregory O. W. Coleman expressed gratitude to Ms. Vwamu and the UNDP Family for the service rendered to Liberia and its people noting that a whole has been achieved under the program.
Hon. Coleman intoned that EISD project has truly connected him to the NBC and haven seen the difficulties people encounter in rural areas; it has changed his mind-set about the entity.
He emphasized that natural resource management which has been captured in many reports as a major challenge of the NBC, will now quickly be addressed.
The NBC Director General’s commendations were followed by other senior members of the NBC and UNDP in thanking Madam Vwamu for her astute leadership. She was certificated for the exemplary role played while working with score of colleagues describing her as an Excellent Team Player.
Responding to the honor, Ms. Joan Vwamu, the outgoing UNDP EISD Project Manager thanked the NBC for such a surprise recognition according to her, and attributed it to the collective effort by the entire UNDP.
Recounting her worked in Liberia madam Vwamu said that prior to the ESID project, she has worked in Liberia in 2011 when she supported electoral activities with other philanthropic individuals and organizations and ensured that the elections were peaceful.
“As I am leaving from Liberia but my contacts remain the same and I am available to contribute to whatever you ask of me and feel free to contact me whenever you get to Nairobi, Hahaha!” Madam Vwamu said.
She ended up that though she is leaving Liberia, but the project is on and the UNDP has replaced her with a strong and courageous working colleague that also has vast knowledge in working with multiple tasks.