Drawing Attention To Infrastructure And Economic Priorities That Require Further Support.
By Trokon A. Freeman/0777973957/trokonfreeman@gmail.com
House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon over the weekend led President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on an assessment tour of key development sites across Montserrado County District 11, showcasing ongoing community projects and highlighting areas requiring additional government intervention.
The visit included stops at a new sand mining site in Caldwell, a locally owned fish farm in Bannersville, and the Bannersville Estate Football Field, which is currently undergoing major renovation by the Speaker.
According to Speaker Koon, the tour was intended to provide President Boakai with a firsthand look at development initiatives being undertaken in the district, while also drawing attention to infrastructure and economic priorities that require further support.
“We felt it was important for the President to see some of the interventions taking place in the district and to assess areas where additional development efforts are needed,” Koon told District 11 TV.
One of the key stops on the tour was the Bannersville Estate Football Field, where extensive rehabilitation works are ongoing through funding provided by the Speaker. The project is transforming the facility into one of Liberia’s premier community sports venues.
Speaking at the site, Koon disclosed that the refurbished field is expected to be officially dedicated in August.
“The Liberia Football Association has provided us with a technician from Morocco who is ensuring that the field meets modern-day sporting standards”.
The Speaker emphasized Bannersville’s long-standing contribution to Liberian football, noting that the community has produced numerous players who have gone on to represent the country at the national level.
“Bannersville is a sporting arena. Most of the footballers you see in Liberia come from Bannersville. That is why I decided to make this field one of the best in the country. This is where many of our national team players are developed”.
Beyond sports development, Koon is constructing stalls adjacent to the football field as part of an initiative to generate revenue for the Bannersville Township and support local economic activities.
The presidential tour also included a visit to LUSU Farm, a Liberian-owned fish farming enterprise in Bannersville, where discussions focused on opportunities for agricultural expansion and local food production.
At the new sand mining site in Caldwell Township, operators examined the economic potential of the operation and its role in supporting construction activities within the district.
Addressing concerns about road connectivity in the area, Speaker Koon disclosed that the Ministry of Public Works has already identified some roads for rehabilitation and construction under ongoing infrastructure planning efforts.
Among the roads being considered is the critical route linking Kebbah to Dixville Junction, a corridor residents have long called on government to improve due to its importance for transportation and commerce.
Koon said continued collaboration between the Legislature, the Executive Branch, and local stakeholders remains essential to delivering tangible improvements in infrastructure, sports, agriculture, and economic opportunities for residents.