PHOTO: Rep. Cole during the 2020 July 26 rice, cash and COVID-19 items distribution exercise in Melekei
By Emmanuel Mafelah, mafelahemmanuel29@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia—Some citizens in the central Bong County have cheerfully extolled the Coalition for Democratic Change Bong County electoral district #3 Representative, Josiah Marvin Cole for what they called, his benevolent contributions to the growth and development of their county, since becoming Lawmaker in 2017.
They praised Rep. Cole’s leadership style in the county and the nation has unconditionally won the hearts and minds of citizens across his home county (Bong), Liberians across the country and even the diaspora Liberians.
According to our Correspondent, Rep. Cole’s name has become a household name in every sector of the County due to his outstanding fight for a better Bong County. This they say has brought tangibles, especially his efforts which has been admired by so many Liberians for providing job opportunities for his people back home not just residents of his district, (Jorquelleh District #3), but the entire county.
Our correspondent said, promises made by the Bong County lawmaker during the campaign period in 2017, has committed his office to implementing them across the district and the county, many of which are gradually nearing completion at the shock of his detractors.
Some of such promises include, the construction of the Jennepleta health facility, the construction of a Motorcycle terminal in Gbarnga, the Wainsue town hall project, the construction of another modern Palava hall project in the Cotton Tree Community in Gbarnga, the electrification of Gbarnga among others.
The Cotton Tree community town hall project in Gbarnga
Four months ago, a ground was broken for the construction of the Palava Hall project in Cotton Tree Community in Gbarnga with an estimated costs placed at little over USD$18,000.00. This project is to soon be dedication, a release from the office is quoted as saying.
Today, the Jennepleta clinic project which witnessed a ground breaking ceremony on February 29, 2020, is at 85 to 90 percent, while the Motorcycle terminal is nearing completion on the LPMC road in Gbarnga and at the same time the Wainsue town hall project is gradually coming to fruition.
Electricity being one of Representative Cole many campaign promises, 200 pieces of solar panels light was presented to inhabitants of Gbarnga and its neighboring town and villages in early 2019 for the beautification of the county capitol city, Gbarnga by his office.
The status of the Jennepleta clinic project
During the presentation ceremony of these solar lights, citizens sang and dance for their son and described him as a noble man. The estimated cost of the solar panels is put at US$105,000, according to the lawmaker.
Rep. Cole at that presentation told the citizens that money for the light project came from his pocket, clarifying that it was not government funds or a legislative project as insinuated by his opponents.
Today, these lights serves as security during night hours, in the wake of escalating criminal activities across the county.
The rehabilitation of farm to market roads, the reconditioning of mini bridges, the construction of modern town hall projects and some personal interventions in the lives of his people across the county has also been top priority of the county third district lawmaker, despite the economic challenges.
Before the 2020 July 26 celebration, the office of the lawmaker distributed little over 1,050 bags of 25kg rice plus little over $2.6million Liberian dollars across district #3 including some portion of district #4, #1, #2 and district #6.
Same as this gone Christmas, where little over $6million Liberian dollars including lappers for women in these same areas were also distributed as their Christmas gifts.
Hon. Cole being a down to earth lawmaker who understands the plight of his people, according to our correspondent has and continues to touch the lives of the ordinary people in Bong County.
The lawmaker, according to report has the highest students enrolled at the Bong County Technical College. Has several other students at the Cuttington University in Suakoko district including other universities and Colleges across the country.
According to an independent survey done by this paper has also revealed that the Bong County district #3 lawmaker is the most celebrated lawmaker since the county was established in 1964 by the student’s community in the county due to his humanitarian assistances, many of whom poor parents are striving to send them to school.
Representative Cole during one of his interaction with different women groupings in his home village, Cole town, District #5 as he present lappers and cash to his Mothers as Christmas gifts
Based upon these testimonies and so many others, a lot of citizens across the county has appreciated the lawmaker for always coming to their tears, describing him as their humanitarian lawmaker of the century, some called him the bulldozer, while other called him the noble character and some say he is the talk and do.
One of such person that believe in the ability of hon. Cole is Mr. Alfred Spencer, a resident of Melekei town in Jorquelleh district number three.
He believes that the election of the lawmaker to the house of parliament wasn’t a mistake, but a blessings to dwellers of the county and Liberia.
“I have never seen a leader like this man. He is down to earth, since he got elected he has never failed to come back to his people. He is a very good man, I will always pray for this honorable man to succeed in everything he venture into and will always standby him no matter what,” he added.
In one of his press interviews last year, Rep. Cole who is the Co-Chair for Rules Order and Administration at the lower house promised to always wash away the tears of his people as long as he is their Representative.
At the same, he urged them to be patient and give him more time to continue working with his colleagues at both houses, the president and friends in and outside of the country for a better district number three and Bong County.
The Bong County tough talking lawmaker maintained that he will continue to create and provide the enabling environment for residents of his district and Bong County at large.
The Lawmaker promised not to change while giving back to venerable communities and its people that stood with him during the 2017 election that has brought him to permanent.
Meanwhile, Rep. Cole boastfully stated that he is not worried about 2023 elections, according to him is grounded and rooted in the Lord through his many developmental initiatives across district #3 and the county, something that be believes has won the minds of the electorates.