February 4, 2008

 

RESTORING HOPE TO AFRICA’S MARYLAND

ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS TOUR MARYLAND COUNTY TO ASSESS ROADS AND BRIDGES

 

A delegation from Engineers Without Borders, USA, arrived in Maryland County to assess roads and bridges in the four Districts.

The day was January 24; it was sunny as the United Nations Chopper (helicopter) landed at the Harper airport. Three casually dressed men disembarked from the helicopter and where met with a rousing welcome from Government Officials, Chiefs, Elders and some residents of Maryland County also referred to as Africa’s Maryland. The usual protocol of presenting the keys to the city and the kola nut welcome was done. The three men were introduced as Mike Posko, Sister-States Committee representative from the State of Maryland, U.S.A.; Mike Hanna, vice president of Engineers Without Borders, Maryland, U.S.A.; and John Sankey, EWB engineer.

posko_slaney_hanna.jpg
(L-R) Posko, Slaney and Hanna of EWB

The delegation met with representatives from all Non Governmental Organizations operating in the County. Mike Posko told them that they had come to Africa’s Maryland to fulfill the promises made to the County during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in August 2007 between the State of Maryland, U.S.A., and Bong and Maryland Counties of Liberia.

 

After that meeting, the three men started their assessment exercise and found out that the main priorities of the people of Maryland County are roads and bridges. For the past 14 years before the ushering in of the Ellen led Government, roads and bridges in the County had not been rehabilitated. Some streets were closed to vehicles because of the deplorable condition of the bridges.

mission_glebenenekeh.jpg
Mission Town to Glebenenekeh road

After the assessment of the four districts, Mr. Mike Hanna told Journalists that their delegation assessed 30 bridges that need to be rehabilitated. He said that their visit is not just a one stop it will continue to go on and on. Mr. Hanna said that their committee will return to the United States to present their assessment report to the rest of its members and soon thereafter they will return to Liberia to begin the roads and bridges rehabilitation projects.

hoffman_tc.jpg
Hoffman Station to Technical College road

Superintendent Sie Teba Neufville thanked the delegation and said that their presence in the County is an achievement for his administration. He said Maryland County is open to Maryland State more than any other Country. In appreciation for their hard work, the three men were traditionally gowned by Local Authorities.

 

BACK TO HEADLINES