GANTA, Nimba – After attending the United Nations’ 73rd General Assembly in New York, Rep. Jeremiah Kpan Koung of Nimba’s first district is expected to attend a fundraising program to support sanitation programs in Ganta.
The Nimba lawmaker is one of many delegates who accompanied Pres. George Weah to the U.N. headquarters. While in the U.S., he is also honoring an invitation from members of the Liberian diaspora there.
The Clean Ganta initiative is being organized by Ganta Development Association, a group of citizens of the district residing in the U.S. Koung is expected to serve as one of the two speakers for the program set to be held this evening at the Church of the Nazarene in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Each person attending the program is expected to pay US$20 to gain entry access.
Edwin G. Kordan, the special assistant to Koung, said the Clean Ganta initiative aims to source funds to help keep the city clean.
“As you know that the lawmakers are now on their annual break, [and] most of them are [now] on tour everywhere, lobbying for their people,†he said. “We have a group in the U.S. called Ganta Development Association. So, he will be appearing as [a] special guest for the Clean Ganta Initiative.”
The city continues to face sanitation challenges, including the lack of a proper garbage disposal site, as well as a shortage of sanitation vehicles. Months ago, the city obtained a USAID grant that allowed it to access basic materials including wheelbarrows, shovels, trash bins, hand gloves, rain boots, and other materials. However, many challenges remain.
“Ganta needs serious dump trucks – that’s number one,” Kordan said. He noted that the fundraiser would aim to acquire vehicles for the city’s sanitation workers.
Like all six cities in Nimba, Ganta does not benefit from budgetary support from the central government and the city often must use creative means of sourcing the funds necessary for operations.
Rep. Koung is also expected to attend a similar program in Philadelphia [USA], next month.
Featured photo courtesy of the Office of Jeremiah Koung
