By Laurina B Lormia
President Joseph Boakai has decried decades of underdevelopment in Gbarpolu County, blaming political divisions and mismanagement for keeping government support at bay.
Speaking at the dedication of a water project in Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County on Wednesday February 26, President Boakai pledged his administration’s full commitment to reversing the county’s stagnation and ensuring that its rich natural resources benefit its people.
According to him, for years, he has seen rivalry in the county, people fighting among themselves, and that division has deprived Gbarpolu of the development it deserves. “But today, I see leaders coming together, and I want to assure you that we are on board with you,” President Boakai declared.
He emphasized the urgent need for progress, citing a Ministry of Education report that places Gbarpolu among the seven counties with high school enrollment rates but inadequate educational infrastructure.
“I always said I would never attend a hand pump dedication because we should have moved past this stage long ago. Everything we are doing now should have been done a century ago. The fact that we still lack schools and medical facilities is unacceptable. I don’t need to explain the importance of safe drinking water, you already understand it,” President Boakai emphasized.
“Do I really need to remind you how important water is? You take medicine with it, wash your clothes, bathe, cook, and, most importantly, drink it. But not just any water clean, safe drinking water. Today, we celebrate it because we’ve been deprived for far too long,” he mentioned.
President Boakai vowed to prioritize investments in schools, healthcare, and road networks, insisting that the absence of basic services after 178 years of independence is unacceptable.
President Boakai stated that, access to clean water, quality education, and proper healthcare are fundamental rights, not privileges, and that his leadership is committed to making these a reality for every Liberian.
“This country is well-endowed, yet we have failed to use our resources for the good of our people. We will not allow this to continue,” he said.
President Boakai also issued a stern warning against illegal mining, which he said is draining the country’s wealth without benefiting its citizens.
He urged residents not to support or engage with illegal miners, vowing a government crackdown to protect Liberia’s natural resources.
”People everywhere in the world are becoming increasingly concerned about their areas. There is a growing reluctance to welcome outsiders, especially if we aren’t building our own country. If we don’t take the initiative to develop it, who else will? Sitting back and allowing others to come in without action, feels like it’s enabling the problem,” he expressed.
“Illegal miners are rampant in this country. Because there’s little access to these areas, they remain hidden in the bushes, exploiting the resources we have. But what happens when these resources run out? How will we develop our country then?” President Boakai questioned.
He said, “There have been numerous discoveries here that could significantly contribute to the development of this country. However, nothing will be accomplished if we continue to sit back and merely encourage people to donate $5 here and there, only for it to be taken away.”
The President pointed out, “What will become of the children growing up? We need more children in school, and they need to be educated. That is why we decided to come here today to witness firsthand what is happening.”
”Meanwhile, I’ve been at the Emirates Hospital and saw it during the campaign. We are working on improving it. There will be doctors taking charge to transform it into what it should be. It serves this region and will become a referral hospital. Not just any referral hospital, but an outstanding one,” he noted.
“We didn’t come for the presidency; we came with a purpose to transform the lives of our people. Our people deserve the best, and we will deliver,” he concluded.