The Bishop of the Independent Catholic Church of Liberia (ICCL), Nimely Jacbokly Donyen has assured marketers of the Central Johnsonville Market that he will continue the micro loan program that they have been using to improve their businesses.
He said he will also continue carrying out other developmental projects like footpath bridges, community roads rehabilitation including other relevant projects.
Bishop Donyen made these remarks at the induction ceremony of the leadership of the market over the weekend in the Township of Johnsonville in District 2, Montserrado County.
Those inducted in office were Madam Cecelia W. Kortee, Superintendent; Madam Victoria S. K. Gbor, Assistant Superintendent; Pastor Tamba S. Daniel, General Secretary; Mother Kebbeh Lendeh, Table Director and Mr. Tonia Massaquoi, Advisor.
He urged the new leadership to continue working together so as to move their market forward saying that the Central Johnsonville Marketers have been meeting their loan obligations in time and as such, he told Superintendent Kortee that he has made available an additional L$500,000 as loan at ten percent interest rate for the marketers.
Speaking further, the ICCL Clergy disclosed that he erected a market in the Nimba United Community which is located in Mount Barclay in 2021 adding that he also dedicated an annex to the Kpelle Town Junction Market early this year.
“In February 2022, I built a footpath that connects New Life and Kpawein Communities as well as adjacent communities. In March 2022, I rehabilitated the New Israel Community road,” he informed the gathering.
According to Bishop Donyen, he has already completed the negotiation for the implementation of several developmental projects in the district but points out that he will begin to roll out those projects by 2024.
He then stressed that 2024 will be the feasible time for him to do them because he stated that some people who are residing in the district and beyond have been blocking most of his humanitarian gestures as well as development projects from achieving their goals.
“I used more than US$20,000 and brought pipe borne water for the people and they blocked the pipe line; I then constructed a center for the disadvantaged youths that was demolished by the same group; I also secured US$30,000 to bring electricity in the communities but they used their political influence and coerced LEC and inflated the cost of the connection so, by 2024, those individuals will no longer have the political power to sabotage well intentioned projects for the people,” Bishop expressed.
Bishop Donyen informed the marketers including the residents of the district that he has plans to introduce cool storages at the various markets where steel doors along with securities will be put in place so that marketers feel safe to leave their goods on the tables at the end of the day and go home.
He promised to improve the structures of all markets in the district and provide free medical services once every year to the people and assured the leaderships of communities that he is going to advocate on their behalf so that they get on government’s payroll.
The newly inducted Superintendent of the Central Johnsonville Market, Kortee, lauded the leadership of the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA) under the leadership of the National president, Elizabeth Sambollah, for certificating their market as member of the LMA Including those who contributed to the establishment of Central Johnsonville Market.
She then encouraged her colleagues to always work together so that their businesses can achieve the necessary elevation along with the market building.
Madam Kortee commended Bishop Donyen for providing the micro loan to the marketers and urged him to continue to improve their businesses and the livelihoods of individual marketer as some marketers have become wholesalers while others now have multiple tables, among others.
Meanwhile, District 2 Representative, Jimmy Smith applauded the induction of the new leadership pointing out that marketers are the life-line of any nation.
He then admonished marketers stating that the society depends on them for nutritional needs in order to be healthy but marketers should at all times support their leaders.
“When you work with your leaders and appreciate the little they do, you undoubtedly motivate them to do more,” he stated.
According to Representative Smith, as the Johnsonville Township is gradually transforming, there is a need for market structures in those communities conform to that reality and promised to also seek funding to assist marketers in the district.
“I will help empower you to expand your business but it will be a surprise; I express thanks and appreciation to those who have been providing loans and or credits to you as they are doing their part,” he added.
