By M. Neywon Mengonfia – mmenginfia@gmail.com
At long last, President George Weah has officially dedicated the 14th Gobarchop Market in Paynesville, with a call for peace among marketers.
The official dedication was earlier postponed due to internal conflict amongst members of the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA), which led to the President to intervention of the Ministry of State for Presidential affairs to probe the situation.
Although, the conflict has not ended or been settled, the Liberian leader in his wisdom saw it fair to dedicate the market, mandating the Paynesville City Corporation ( PCC) to oversee the affairs of the market until the conflict is resolved, after their convention scheduled for February of next year.
The Liberian leader before his official speech recognized all the guests at the event. He started with the famous Zombie dance where he made the crowd go wild, moving from side-to-side.
In his remarks, President Weah praised the taxpayers and the Japanese government for ensuring that the market is built in the area to give marketers in the area a comfortable home.
” Let us make sure that the image of this market is keep clean” President Weah told the jubilant marketers who danced and cheered for the President.
He added that it is a dream come through for not only him, big for the marketers and Liberians in general.
” You will no longer be in the sun during the dry season and in the rain during the rainy season” President Weah said.
President Weah called for peace and a united front of marketers what to succeed.
” In other for you people to succeed, you all need to work together. Let’s do the work together so we can succeed together,” he intoned.
The city of Paynesville was a scene of jubilation with great culture performances, deliverance of speeches as the 14th Gbobachop market was being deducted by President George M. Weah.
Little Sianneh Zaah of the Lorma ethnic group through her spectacular cultural dance, woke up President George Weah and other dignitaries from their comfortable seats, as she made the gathering go wide scrapping her feet fast on the cement lay
President Weah and first Lady Clar Marie Weah worked in a joyous mood to identify with the kids who danced to amuse guests at the event.
Alice G. Nyepan, embittered President of the Liberia Marketing Association praised when she was given the opportunity to speak, she praised President Weah for helping them to have a modern market.
Madam Nyepan in her statement pleaded with the president to do away with third party in seeing them, marketers.
” We want to say that the woman that born you may she rest in peace. She did not born you for her one but for all market women” Madam Nyepan said.
The long-running conflict has been in the market Association for years.
This conflict has caused serious leadership Gap in the LM. But in her remarks, Madam Nyepan pleaded with the President for forgiveness, but said those who the President sent to settle the dispute between them have not done any good for them.
As part of her plea to the President, the embattled LMA President requested of the President to construct school in the market vicinity to enable their kids attend classes while the mothers sell their products.
One thing that was observed during the official dedication of market is that Montserrado District four Lawmaker, Rostonlyne Suacoco Denis in whose district the market was constructed failed to show up at market dedicatory ceremony.
This is not the first time for the Lawmaker to boycott official program in her district. It can be recalled that during the dedication of the Du-port Rd market in the same district four, Rep. Denis again did not show up and when she was asked then, she said that she was not given an official letter inviting her at the program- a reason that she was greatly criticized for.
Earlier, Pepci Quiwu Yeke , Executive Director of LACE disclosed government commitment to enhancing infrastructure development across Liberia.
As part of government’s continued initiative, Mr. Yeke unveils the readiness of two modern bridges in Grand Cape Mount County.
Speaking at the dedication of the 14th Gorbachop International Market project on Friday October 9, 2020, he told the gathering that the over two hundred historic housing units in SassTown, Grand Kru County will be ready for use in December of 2020.
Mr. Yeke also said renovation work for the Edward Beyan Kesselly Military Barrack is also completed and ready for turn over to the direct beneficiaries.
Commenting on other ongoing projects, the LACE boss stressed that the second phase of the Popo Beach housing project is in full swing and will be completed in early 2021.
He also named the Monrovia Central Prison project as another project that is said to be nearing completion soon.
Yeke at the same time pledged the government’s commitment through LACE of delivering on its development envelop to the people of Liberia.
According to him, plans are also in the making for the government to jump-start the construction of the Duala Market project, which he noted will be bigger and even more beautiful than other markets the government has constructed since taken over in 2018.