By Emmanuel Mafelah, mafelahemmanuel29@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- Work has begun on the installation of solar panel that is expected to provide electricity for some 3,000 locals in the central Bong County.
As the installation kicks off, Representative Moima Briggs Mensah, Bong County electoral districts # 6 Representative says Salala district is on the verge of experiencing a total transformation.
She leads electricians of major towns and villages in the area through the installation of solar panels, which does not emit the greenhouse gases to deplete the Ozone Layer.
Salala is the headquarters of the district and it hosts over 20 thousand inhabitants, many of whom are students and marketers.
For the first time, over 30, 000 residents, including women, children, youth and the elders, will see and appreciate ‘lights’ in the midst of farming and schooling, in various towns and villages under the regime of Representative Mensah.
Rep. Mensah, like other lawmakers during the October 2017 general election, promised voters that they could ably represent their constituents and encourage developers to come to them. Though the provision of street light may have not been one of her campaign promises, it is part of the many community development needs of rural and urban dwellers alike.
The total number of solar panels to be installed in Salala district, according to Representative Mensah is about one hundred pieces worth little over US$15,000.
During the formal presentation of the solar street light in Salala, the headquarters of the district, six street lights were recently switched on.
Rep. Mensah called on citizens in the area to work hand-in-head in moving Salala district forward.
Rep. Mensah said her passion for development in her district is unparalleled and it is a way of giving back.
According to the Bong County lawmaker, the initiative is her own way of giving back to inhabitants of Salala district.
She said the light will serve as security for people who move around the night hours amid the increase wave of criminal activities across the country.
The lawmaker further that the lights project of of several projects in continuations of her many developmental initiatives across the district.
“Currently, I am renovating the Salala administration building through the help of my office and friends. We are building bridges across the district, providing tuition to students. Providing and creating the enabling environment for different women groupings and youths, in spite of the many economic challenges in the Country.
“I will always be there for you, because I know what you people did for me. This is my way of giving back to the community. And there are things which I didn’t promise but decided to give, one of which is light.
“This light will help our children in the night to sometimes play or sit under to lecture, especially for students to study. I believe this light will help change your living condition. I want to assure you people this contribution will go across the district,” Representative Briggs Mensah added.
During the ceremony, Liberia Deputy House Speaker (Bong County electoral districts #2 Representative) Prince K. Moye promised to provide 12 solar panels, a promise he has fulfilled.
In separates interviews with www.newspublictrust.om during the ceremony, scores of locals in Salala and its surroundings took to the streets in jubilant mood, expressed appreciation for the Lawmaker’s gesture.
The citizens could not hold back their praises for the lawmaker, adding, “This light will serve as a great relief for our different communities, especially during night hours.”
Mamie Jackson, a resident of Salala described the solar street lights as a ‘surprise gift’ and that it will truly help the men, women, and children of Salala and the district at large.
The light is a clearer manifestation of the Lawmaker commitment in bettering their livelihoods, according to her.
The citizens have meanwhile vowed to supports the Lawmaker undertaking in order to make Salala district second to none in Liberia in term of Developmental initiatives.
Rep. Rep. Briggs-Mensah said the district comprises five Clan, (Nyanforquelleh, Kpatolee, Konoyea, Konowalala and Zeansue Clan) and, by the Grace of God, all of the towns within each clans will get solar street lights.