By M Neywon Mengonfia
A Liberian lawmaker has led his constituents in a campaign to keep their environment clean.
Leading the people of Margibi County District #1 in the Duazon community outside Monrovia over the weekend, Representative, Pidelorsa Tarponweh urged Liberians to prioritize the cleaning of their environment as means of keeping themselves healthy.
The clean exercise was organized by the lawmaker in collaboration with a local youth group, “Magibi Youth Movement for Empowerment Initiatives.”
After being personally engaged in cutting grass and other cleanup activities, Rep. Tarponweh told Reporters that he intends to make sure that the clean-up initiative does not just end over the weekends, but it should be done daily by people of Margibi County.
According to him, the regular cleaning exercise will be buttressed by empowerment of youths of the district.
“I do not know what we can do without a good environment, like the saying goes, clearness is next to godliness,” the CDC Margibi District #1 lawmaker added.
Rep. Tarponweh also addressed himself to questions of whether his initiative was not just a political gimmick to make him popular in the eyes of his constituency,
“People who been have known me for a while, in my private and public life they know my involvement because I emphasis environment. We got to take charge. Long before the election, I initiated a clear-up campaign from the military barrack to the RIA. This was done with my own resources,” the Margibi County lawmaker said.
He promised ensure that the regular cleanup program is sustained.
According to the 2008 Census, Margibi County has a population of 199,689, making it the sixth most populous county in Liberia.
Rep. Tarponweh said “we will continue to clear up the most populated areas of our district mainly the market and other places.”
Also speaking during the weekend’s clear-up exercise was the head of the Magibian Youth Movement for Empowerment Initiatives, Newon Paye, who spoke of seeing piles of dirt in some areas he had visited, something he said caught his attention.
“I organized a group of young people to make sure that we help with the clearing of our own area. We do not have to wait for government to come clear our homes and soundings for us. That is why I decided to organize youths of the district,” Paye said.
The youth leader said the cleanup exercised in Duazon will be duplicated in the remaining four districts of Margibi County.