The ECOWAS Parliament Speaker, Mr Susie Tunis, has donated $10,000 to facilitate development projects in Sime Darby Central High School and the Liberia Government Hospital both in Bomi County, Liberia.
Tunis made the donations on Monday during an oversight visit to some communities across the Bomi County on entering into Liberia through the Sierra Leonean/Liberian border to attend the ECOWAS Parliament delocalized meeting.
Of the $10,000, $5,000 dollars will be given to the Sime Darby Central High School and another $5,000 to the Liberia Government Hospital.
According to Tunis, the visit to the institutions was aimed at bringing the ECOWAS Parliament to the people, engage with them to know their challenges and how their challenges can be addressed.
At the Sime Darby Central High School, Tunis said the donation was to assist the school in projects that would aid in strengthening the school system.
He however urged the students to remain focused in their studies, be disciplined so that they can also become leaders in future.
The speaker also urged the female students not to limit themselves but should aspire to become world leaders and professionals in various fields.
“This is the first school I have addressed in my capacity as speaker and my advice for you all is to remain focused in your studies and disciplined.
“The future of this country is in your hands. Today you are seated there, tomorrow you will be standing up here, but that depends on you and how focused you are.
“Especially you the women, in Parliament we are focusing on women empowerment as priority so that tomorrow you do not just end up in the kitchen but become world leaders, doctors, lawyers and other great professionals.
“For the boys, you also have to be focused so that tomorrow you can become speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, representatives of your counties”, Tunis said.
At the Liberia Government Hospital, Tunis said the donation was also a support from the ECOWAS Parliament to strengthen the health system, commending the hospital administration for catering for three counties.
Tunis said that beyond ECOWAS he would also talk with Liberian President, George Weah to ensure they get all the required support.
“We cannot appreciate the efforts of Doctors and health workers and that is why when there are agitations for pay rise I say no amount can be enough to pay for all you do.
“I will put pressure on President George Weah to bring this hospital to great standards and provide all the necessary facilities requires”, Tunis added.
Sen. Edwin Snowe, representing Bomi County, appreciated the Speaker for his kind gestures and he urged the school authority to use the said sum judiciously.
He also advised the school authority to use the money for a significant project which should be named after Speaker Tunis.
Snowe also appreciated Tunis for his support to the Liberian hospital noting that the hospital played a significant role during the Ebola pandemic as it was the epi-centre that catered for three counties in the district.
Mr Nonolu Kamara, Superintendent of School System, Mano Plantations School System, Bomi County also appreciated the generous donation promising that the funds will be used judiciously.
Earlier, Dr Siana Jackson, Bomi County Health Officer also appreciated the visit of the ECOWAS Parliament Speaker and the continuous assistance of Sen. Snowe.
She however appealed to the Speaker to help the hospital get a twenty four hour power supply to enable them function effectively.
Jackson noted that the hospital had several challenges but addressing it’s power challenge was the most urgent.
NAN
