01/07/2023
DEPUTY MINISTER FOR URBAN AFFAIRS CAUTION LEADERS OF VIRGINIA TOWNSHIP TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE AND STOP EATING THEIR MONEY.
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The Ministry of Internal Affairs, Republic of Liberia inducted into office Virginia Township Local Government Council Members for the next four(4) years to represent the Township Nine(9) Wards in decision making, on June 24, 2023 at the Unity Conference Center in Lower Virginia during the weekend.
The program was attended by several residents, the Township Commissioner, Hon. Tye Socrates Weah, Jr. and officials of government which includes, Deputy Minister for Urban Affairs, Hon. Paulita Wie, Hon. Esiaka Sheriff, Assistant Minister for Research and Dev. Planning at Ministry of Internal Afairs, Republic of Liberia, Hon. Isaac Mozac Wilson, Assistant Director for Urban Affairs, Hon. Alvin S. Bono, Director for Urban Affairs, Hon. Loving Kranga, Secretary for Department of Urban Affairs, amongst other officials of government.
The Directress of Unity Conference, Hon. Deborah Toe was proxy by her Administrative Assistant, Mr. George Johnson who welcomed the guests to the Unity Conference Center building.
Serving as Keynote Speaker for said program was Deputy Minister for Urban Affairs, Hon. Paulita's CC Wie, who spoke on the topic "Roles of a Good Leader." She used the occasion to congratulate and inspire the newly inducted Council Members to see the opportunity of service important and understand the purpose for which they were elected and not to use power against their people, but to respect their views and work in their interest. She further said that leaders are servants and must be willing to listen and have integrity. In addition, you can not be the people's leader and eating their money. She emphasized on corruption, poor accountability and administrative malpractices by those in charge and they should stop eating the people's money. She added that the people money should be for development and good governance rather than corruption by those in charge, as she cautioned them to make good decisions in the best interest of the Local Authority.
On the other hand, she also encouraged the Township Commissioner, Hon. Weah to work with the new Council Members with peace, love, respect and understanding for a better Virginia. She added that good working relationships and a sense of listening will avoid unnecessary tensions and promote proper accountability and better transparency which will result in peaceful activities, and good governance. Hon. Wie also extended greetings to the People of Virginia Township on behalf of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Varney A. Sirleaf who was expected to have been present at the occasion and was unavailable due to other office duty, but proxy by Assistant Minister Sheriff.
The Deputy Minister for Urban Affairs at Ministry of Internal Affairs concluded by thanking H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia for signing into law the 2018 Local Government Act of Liberia which gives power to the people and encouraged residents to be peaceful during the upcoming October 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections. Prior to her departure she also made a contribution of L$50,000 to the occasion as a little contribution on behalf of her office to the new Council Leadership.
Hon. Esiaka Sheriff, Assistant Minister for Research Dev. & Planning, Ministry of Internal Affairs, inducted the nine (9) Council Members on behalf of the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a proxy of Hon. Varney A. Sirleaf, Minister of Internal Affairs, R.L. Hon. Sheriff greeted the guests, and the people of Virginia Township on behalf of Minister Varney A. Sirleaf. He used the occasion to send out message of peace, love and respect to all.
Hon. Sheriff re-echo to residents, the Township Commissioner, Hon. Tye S. Weah, and the newly inducted Council Members to take advantage of the opportunity of service to people of Virginia. He went further by cautioning the Township Commissioner that his workings with the new council members will determine his output and performance and that the 2018 Local Government Act of Liberia has decentralized power to people. This means that it is a 50/50 balance of power and authority. He spoke for 30mins pointing out the positive values of the 2018 Local Government Act of Liberia and the power it gives the people.
On the other hand, he also encouraged council members to work positively with the Township Commissioner to ensure smooth working relationship and avoid tensions in these times since we are not far from October 2023 presidential and legislative elections. He added, "whether you support a change or satisfied with the government performance" remain peaceful.
Hon. Sheriff emphasized on the wonderful works the government is doing under the great leadership of President Weah most especially in the rural counties, but the choice is up to the citizens to decide whether there is a need for another change based on the level of works done so far.
The honorable Assistant Minister used the occasion to contribute US$100.00 as his personal contribution, and without consultation with Minister Sirleaf an amount of US$100.00 on the minister behalf which he believes could add up by Minister Sirleaf.
Assistant Minister Sheriff presented a copy of the 2018 Local Government Act of Liberia and recommended that a copy is given to all 9 members of Virginia Township Council.
The nine(9) Council Members will serve the Township in decision making from 2023 - 2027 and work alongside the Office of the Commissioner to ensure a new Virginia, to promote proper accountability and better transparency with a 50/50 balance of power and authority. In other words, the Local Government Act 2018 signed into Law by his H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah gives power to the people to administer and make their own decisions, as well as collaborate with Central Government in implementation of programs and operations. It also gives equal participation of citizens to serve alongside with Local Officials of Government in making decisions for residents of a Local Government Authority.
Commissioner Weah thanked all for coming and also inducted the Township Council Leadership where four(4) Council Members (P. Ernest During, Albert T. Dixon, Wahab Dorley and Samuel Fumbah) ascended to the position of Council-Executives, four(4) Council Members (Wolobah Yekeku, Zwannah B. Porte, Sr., Isaac K. Roberts, and Molley K. Morris) as Co. Chairs and One(1) Council Member (Chief Foley S. Siryon, Sr.) as Council-Utility.
Hon. Weah call to order the first Township Council business as he shared his thoughts and vision for the Township of Virginia. He informed the new Council Members that his major priority is the Township Multipurpose Hall and drafting of a Township Ordinance among others, as the Commissioner called the session to adjourn until July 1, 2023 to have the Township first Official Business.
At that point he instructed the Township Clerk, Isaac Joseph Cooper to set the agenda for July 1, 2023 official Council meeting and communicate to all council members for their inputs. A motion to adjourn the session was made by Council-Executive Wahab Dorley, Ward Seven (7), Upper Virginia and seconded by Council-Executive Samuel Fumbah, Ward One, Lower Virginia as the session came to a closed.
Speaking at the occasion was Virginia Township Clerk, Isaac Joseph Cooper who spoke words of hope to residents who had given up on the outgoing leadership due to poor performance and misrepresentation of the people's trust. Mr. Cooper used the occasion to encourage residents not to give up and it's about time Virginians are about to experience what he referred to as the NEW VIRGINIA! He added, with the help of the 2018 Local Government Act of Liberia Virginians now have the power to direct their Township in the right direction since decisions will be made by council members rather than just the Township Commissioner. This means that council members will have consultative meetings with their communities and make decisions on issues that affect their areas along with the Township commissioner.
The Township Clerk emphasized on the 2018 LGA which devolved such power to council members to have such authority to represent their wards, make approvals, Levy taxes and make decisions best in the interest of their wards, Office of the Township Commissioner and entire Virginia Township. According to the Township Clerk, the people are best represented through their Local Government Councils and such power is experience through good decisions. Local Government is the people's Government and the only form of Government that residents and citizens have direct access to, in decision making.
The manager of Ebenezer Funeral Services in Virginia and Head of Councils, Council P. Ernest During, Ward five(5), Central Virginia Settlement, Township of Virginia described the occasion as an opportunity of service to correct the wrongs and make the difference in contributing and making good decisions for Virginia. The head of Councils of Virginia Township believes his presence on board such leadership will make great impacts and good decisions as he used the occasion to encourage his colleagues in said positive direction for what the Township Clerk referred to as "A NEW VIRGINIA." The Chairman on Legal Affairs on Virginia Township Council, Wahab Dorley, Upper Virginia Settlement, Township of Virginia added that a new Virginia is certain without doubts due to the energy and confidence demonstrated by Clerk Cooper and urged his colleagues to monster the courage for the new Virginia under their leadership, and thanked the Commissioner and his Clerk for a job well done.
Many residents and Council Members congratulated and appreciated the Township Clerk, Isaac Joseph Cooper for being a hero and a leader of great vision who perseveres with an unstoppable energy of not giving up and achieving results. Virginia is currently in progress and process for a new Virginia, and this process will be achieved in the next 90 days after July 1, 2023 earlier stated by the Township Clerk.
With the cooperation of all, we will get there successfully, many residents said.
