BREWERVILLE, Montserrado – Omega Insurance Company has broken grounds for the construction of a US$130,000 recreation facility in Brewerville. The ceremony took place on Friday, November 23.

The project, a gift from the company to the city of Brewerville, is expected to benefit young people in the community.

Bedell Fahn, Brewerville’s mayor, praised the company and its executives for the initiative, noting that it will meet the recreational needs of the youth, as the city currently lacks recreational facilities.

“I love to sincerely say, and from our heart, we appreciate this a lot,” he said.

Fahn noted that Liberia would fast develop if every individual gave back to their respective communities. Omega Insurance was founded by residents of Brewerville, Charles Ananaba and his wife Patricia Ananaba, who have retired as CEO and vice president for administration, respectively.

Patricia Ananaba said her family has lived in Brewerville since 1988, a year after their son, Gajay Ananaba, the incoming CEO, was born.

Patricia R. Annaba, Omega Insurance’s vice president for administration. Photo: Gbatemah Senah

She said because of the lack of a recreational center, her husband and children, who are also athletes, always had to go out of the city to play basketball. She said it is because of the need for a recreational facility that the company has decided to undertake the initiative.

“It is said, to whom much is given, much is expected,” she said, noting that her family has been blessed by God. “Therefore, we want to break grounds today to establish a closed gymnasium for basketball. And it will provide playing time and protect our children, keep them out of the streets, and they can have a life of playing [and] enjoying sports.”

Patricia Ananaba said her family aims to see children in Brewerville becoming useful in society, rather than being in the streets.

The initiative is part of the Omega Insurance Group’s social corporate responsibility arm, Omega Cares, which she plans to head after she steps down as vice president for administration.

“I am happy, and I am proud that we can give back to the community. We want to say that we have been blessed as a family. But we must give back. And this is why we are building this closed gymnasium for the youth of Brewerville and other environs in this area.”

She also praised the mayor of the city and the county administration for their continued cooperation for the project.

“So, we want to say to the youths, when this gym is built, you will have an opportunity [to play] basketball, and not only one game, two games simultaneously when playing full court and four to six half court games,” she added.

The company’s outgoing president and CEO, Charles Ananaba, also praised the city council and the people of Brewerville for their interest in the construction of the recreation center.

“We feel it is not only our social responsibility but our duty as Liberians to give back to the society because I remember when we were coming up, the facilities we used were provided by other benefactors,” Ananaba said.

Charles L. Ananaba, president and CEO for Omega Insurance Company. Photo: Gbatemah Senah

He said the contractor implementing the construction has estimated the work at US$75,000 to US$80,000. An additional US$50,000 would also cover seating and other materials.

Charles Ananaba disclosed plans for hosting basketball tournaments to scout out talented youths and inspire them to become responsible citizens, at the recreation center, when completed.

Omega’s incoming president and CEO, Gajay Ananaba, noted that the company plans to simultaneously carry out similar projects in Paynesville. He encouraged the Paynesville officials to see the need for the initiative, adding that it will unlock recreational opportunities for young people.

This article was sponsored by Omega Insurance Group. Featured photo by Gbatemah Senah