“Development Is Not Only Government, But…” Says Gongloe

Counsellor Tiawan Saye Gongloe, National Chairman of the Movement for Justice in Africa (MOJA) has said the development of a community or country should not only be the sole responsibility of the government, but also the people themselves.
He is therefore calling on villagers, towns, chiefdoms or districts of any county to develop or cultivate the culture of self-initiative as the means of complementing government’s effort in bringing about those needed developmental projects to their localities.
Gongloe made these assertions recently (Saturday, December 07) at the bank of the Saint John River in Quoipa Town, Kpaai District Electoral District #1, Bong County. There and then, he dedicated a locally manufactured wooden ferry he (Gongloe) donated to the residents of Quoipa Town, Bong County, and that of the people of Laintain Town, Yarwei Mehsonoh Statutory District, Electoral District #9 (Tappita), Nimba County.
He stated that development is a two-way street either the government or the community’s people themselves, because whenever the government could not reach; people should step in to help instead of waiting for the state to do it at all cause.
MOJA’s Chairman then showered praises and gratitude on the population of both towns (Quoipa and Laintain), who are direct beneficiaries of the project in particular, but Liberians in general, for their strength and spirit of unity as one people.
“We believe that with such oneness of this kind between two towns there could be more self-initiatives in the future once God continues to give us the strength and long life for the betterment of our communities and country (Liberia),” he noted.
Tiawan’s relationship is dimensional for both towns (Quoipa and Laintain) in particular, and Bong and Nimba Counties in general. His mother, Ma Elizabeth (Kpelle) hails from Quoipa Town in Bong County, while her mother is from Laintain Town in Nimba County.
The dedication of the water transport (ferry) last Saturday, December 07, is estimated at L$50,000 and carries 15 passengers on board to ease the loss of lives on the 200 meters stretch crossing point of the Saint John River which separates Quoipa and Laintain Towns of Bong and Nimba Counties.
Meanwhile, the only primary (elementary) school (Quopia Public School) in the semi-densely populated Quoipa Town is in short supply of instructional materials like blackboards, pieces of chalk, dusters, but most importantly, benches for the huge enrollment of students during this current academic period.
Mr. James Menquah, Principal of Quoipa Public School told this paper that pupils sit on the bare floor due to the lack of benches and this is making learning unbearable for them as the school has not received any supplies from the Education Ministry in care of the County-Education-Officer (CEO) or District-Education-Officer (DEO).
He said the Quoipa Public School is the only school that is accommodating all of the school-going-ages or children from surrounding villages and towns but the lack of sitting capacity is posing an embarrassment to the not already conducive environment.
Menquah stated that the school has 8 teachers, of which 5 are volunteers who are compensated through collection or donations from the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or residents of these towns and villages monthly while the rest are on government’s payroll.
Quoipa Public School was established since 1972 during the tenure of the late President William R. Tolbert; Suah, Throble K.