Wanhassan, Lofa County – Lofa County Superintendent J. Lavelah Massaquoi has cautioned younger folks within the county to not permit themselves for use by politicians for egocentric agendas, warning that doing so won’t yield any significant advantages for them.
By Augustus D.R. Bortue
Talking on Saturday, June 14, 2025, on the official dedication of the Fangoma Dam within the Wanhassan Administrative District, Supt. Massaquoi emphasised the necessity for younger folks to concentrate on private improvement and contribute meaningfully to the county’s development.
“It is vital for our younger folks to be themselves and work for their very own profit,” Supt. Massaquoi stated. “If we don’t work, there shall be no cash in our pockets and no meals on our tables. What’s vital now could be that we work collectively as one folks.”
The Fangoma Dam Undertaking, valued at US$650,000 and funded by the Authorities of Liberia, was carried out by Chinese language building agency Liberia Qiang Shen Group. It targets over 250 acres of lowland for year-round rice farming and was accomplished in simply 70 days. The initiative kinds a part of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s “Liberians, Feed Yourselves” Agenda, which seeks to spice up meals manufacturing and cut back the nation’s dependence on rice imports.
Supt. Massaquoi praised President Boakai and Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah for prioritizing Lofa County in nationwide improvement efforts, saying the dam’s reconstruction aligns with the county’s improvement agenda, significantly in agriculture.
“This undertaking is in step with our improvement agenda. What we should do as residents is figure collectively, reconcile with each other, and be peaceable. If we inject politics into the whole lot, we won’t obtain something,” he careworn.
The Superintendent additional urged the folks of Lofa to make the most of the present alternative, noting that with a son of the soil now serving as President, the county is in a strategic place to profit from nationwide applications.
“If we don’t make the most of this chance now, we’ll remorse it later—particularly the youth. When the President leaves workplace, we shall be left behind, and no one will hearken to us. That is the time for us to profit from what we missed up to now,” he stated.
Highlighting the advantages of the dam, Supt. Massaquoi stated the undertaking won’t solely present meals but in addition create jobs for residents throughout three districts within the Gbandi Chiefdom.
“This undertaking will present employment. It’s going to produce meals and assist us change into self-sufficient. Allow us to not concentrate on the identify of the world—what issues is the impression this undertaking could have on our lives,” he stated.
Along with agriculture, Supt. Massaquoi touched on enhancements in highway infrastructure, noting that entry from Monrovia to Voinjama has improved considerably.
“At the least now, the highway from Monrovia to Voinjama is satisfactory, which suggests farmers can transport their produce to market. However we nonetheless want to repair roads throughout the districts,” he added.
He disclosed that the highway undertaking from Vahun Junction to Vahun is at present below procurement by the Ministry of Public Works, and bidding has already taken place.
Nevertheless, Supt. Massaquoi warned that improvement can’t be achieved in a divided group.
“If we’re not united, improvement won’t come. We should not blame the President if we fail to attain our objectives in six years. He has given us the instruments—we should use them correctly,” he concluded.
