By Patrick Stephen Tokpah
-Bong
Several young people, predominately motorcyclists, including former Commissioner Aaron Mulbah in Fuamah, lower Bong County, have rubbished claims that former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor constructed a vocational training center in Bong Mines.
The lower Bong residents expressed disenchantment in former Vice President Taylor for what they described as falsehoods over the allegations of the construction of a vocational school in the area.
“Former VP Taylor didn’t build any vocational training center here in Bong Mines. We are disappointed in the former Vice President for her failure to construct the vocational school she broke ground for,” the youth noted.
On October 12, 2018, former Vice President Taylor broke ground for the construction of a Vocational Training Center in Fuamah District, Bong County.
The initiative was a result of a partnership agreement reached with NetLib Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) for the expansion of the institute in Bong County.
The entity, which operates in Congo Town, Monrovia, was expected to offer several disciplines, including Auto Mechanic & Electrician, Basic Air Conditioner, Service Station attendant, and Information Technology, among others, at the center.
During the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, Oct.12, 2018, the former VP Howard-Taylor reiterated that the process was intended to ensure equitable access for all Liberians to obtain affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education as a major component of President George M. Weah’s Administration’s Pro-Poor Agenda.
She clarified the initiative, which was void of politics, was primarily intended to create access to opportunities through inclusive technical and vocational training for thousands of youth who lack the skills to become employable in that part of the country.
The Liberian former Vice President observed that significant numbers of the Youth in that part of Bong County lack the basic skills and know-how to enhance their chances for employment and contribute to Liberia’s development process.
Moreover, former Bong County District 7 Representative Joseph Kolleh, then Representative, admonished parents to take seriously the initiative for their children to become productive citizens in the society.
The groundbreaking ceremony, which was held in Bong Mines, Bong County, was graced by representatives from ArcelorMittal, Bong County Superintendent Esther Walker, NASSCORP, Monrovia Club Breweries, LISCR, MNG Gold, Commissioners, and traditional leaders, among others.
But on the contrary, the citizens said the project didn’t materialize. Even though the youth and former Commissioner admitted to witnessing a groundbreaking ceremony for a renovation of one of the Bong Mining Company (BMC) old buildings opposite the Bong Center High School Campus.
The lower Bong youth, who spoke in a sad mood, said they are finding it very difficult to have access to education, especially Vocational education.
According to former Commissioner Aaron Mulbah, the absence of a vocational school and other social needs poses a serious threat to their well-being, thereby causing their children to grow uneducated as well as causing them an unbearable condition, describing it as a total depression upon them as citizens living in that part of the country.
The residents who believe that their rights to have access to equal opportunity have been violated over several years are seeking a timely solution to these problems that continue to worry them daily.
He said the alleged failure of the former Vice President to complete the construction of the Bong Mines Vocational Training Center has undermined the willingness and eagerness of young people to acquire vocational education.
They are now seeking the intervention of President Joseph Boakai and Jeremiah Kpan Koung’s government for the construction of the vocational training center in the County.
The estimated cost of the construction was placed at US$150,000.
The project would have been the first institutionalized technical training center in the mineral-rich district.
The Fuamah Vocational Training Institute would help build the capacities of young people from across Liberia.
However, when contacted regarding the project completion, former Vice President Taylor admitted to not completing the project.
“I made that promise and funds were made available to the contractor. Unfortunately, the effects of Covid and the fact that the contractor left the country was the cause,” former VP Taylor noted.
Former Vice President didn’t disclose the name of the contractor, but revealed that she hope to still make that project one to be completed as soon as possible.
An investigation conducted by this paper reveals that those who are expected to be in vocational school have all become farmers and motorcyclists, and some are now having babies by chance, evidenced by the absence of a vocational training center in Bong Mines.