The Minister of Youth and Sports under the current regime, Jerror Cole Bangalu has asserted that the role of government is different from providing job for the citizens of the country as is being speculated for many years in Liberia.
In as much as government is the biggest and leading authority of the country that pushes concerns for citizens’ welfare, Minister Bangalu said responsibility of the government is to create an environment where job will be created by private sector and others so that the citizens of the country can work and make their lives more meaningful.
In an example, the minister explained that the national county Sports Meet held every year by the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Youth and Sports and other implementing entities are part of the role of the government so that a vast portion of the population can get job to raise revenues whether on short term or long terms basis.
“Government is not to create jobs! No, it is not the role of government. Anyone who says government should create job does not know what they are talking. Government is to create an enabling environment through which jobs are created,” the minister asserted.
“The National County Sport is a medium for short term job creation. When the event starts you see the Liberians from all walks selling around the stadium. Once you come in an orderly faction, you come and sell. It is an economic empowerment for a lot of Liberians and not just about playing football and kickball,” he said.
Minister Bangalu made the remarks on the edge of the new year at the Ministry of Youth and Sports during a partnership signing ceremony between Radio Entertainment Liberia and the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Paynesville City.
The Partnership covered Radio Entertainment Liberia providing cash prizes in awards to “Man or Woman of the Match” winners in both football and kickball categories. In the agreement, during the preliminary rounds, winner of player of the match awards will receive L$5,000, while winners in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and grand finals will be awarded L$20,000 on every achievement.
Radio Entertainment Liberia also disclosed that their partnership will provide cash to the Steering committee of the County Meet in a tone of one million Liberian dollars for operation aside from the 1.5 million that will be used for individual awards and cash prizes.
