Written by Edwin M. Fayia III
Liberia’s former Agriculture Minister Dr. J.
Chris Toe has invested on a little over 200 acres of land with the purpose of
planting oil palms and producing variety of oil for both domestic use and
export in about five to six years.
In a recent tour of the newly planted oil
palm area in White Plain, Dr. Toe said the investment in that sector of the
Liberian economy would enhance the production of refine oil for domestic and
external use in and outside of the country.
“Life after government service should be the
preoccupations of ex-government officials as a form of manifestation of
creating employment for Liberians across the country,” Dr. Toe said.
He also suggested that Liberians who have the
financial capacity should join foreign investors to create conditions of
employment in the private sector in order to alleviate unemployment challenges
of the country.
“I have decided to invest in the oil palm
sector due to the fact that Liberians have to fight back the capital flight of
money from several sectors of the Liberian economy,” Dr. Toe said.
Dr. Toe further underscored the need for the
Liberian Government to encourage Liberian entrepreneurs to consider investing
in the Liberian economy.
The ex-agriculture minister said such
initiative would enhance the growth and development of the nation in some
stages, especially agriculture driven projects.
Dr. Toe explained that investment and boost
in the production of lowland rice are critical components that would beat the
huge importation of the nation’s staple food-rice in the country.
The former Ministry of Agriculture boss said
that investment in the two vital sectors has created some short term employment
for over 30 Liberian youths in the White Plain community in Montserrado County.
In separate interviews with some of the youth
of White Plain who are beneficiaries of the oil palm project, they expressed
delight about the investment.
Youth employee Franklin B. Kollie, 22, said
he started working on the oil palm five months ago, payment for services has
been good and on time in White Plain.
Youth Kollie also said that his financial
status has considerably improved and need to migrate to Monrovia to seek
employment has been alleviated at White plain in Careyburg District.
“Thank God “I’m now working on a short term
basis and able to feed my parents since five months ago on oil palm project
site at White Plain,” Kollie said in a happy mood.
In closing, he appealed to other Liberians to
consider investment in different components of the Liberian economy in order to
help the nation’s unemployed youth.
Another youth Madam Meata Flomo, 24, said
working as short time employee on the oil palm has actually helped her to
provide decent meals for the family and some external relatives since seven
months ago at White Plain.
“Working here for the past seven months has
made me to know that there is dignity in honest labor at White Plain,” Meata
Said in a delightful mood.
She also called on her peer group to take
advantage of the short term employment at the oil palm project at White Plain
in order to enhance socio-economic conditions in Careyburg District.
“I want to be very grateful for this oil palm
project and pray that other Liberians could see such investment as reducing the
burden of unemployment on the Liberian Government,” Madam Flomo concluded.
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