-As she encourages beneficiaries to use the funds wisely
By Jerromie S. Walters
Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, mid Tuesday, October 24, 2023- in Bong County, led the disbursement process of a little over LRD 16million, as part of the government’s loan project forwomen and business people across Liberia.
The Vice President joined the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and partners, in Bong County, in continuation of the government’s loan process. Tuesday’s appointment entertained the disbursement of cheques to 18 groups, comprising the various beneficiaries, in Gbanga, Bong County. Bong’s portion of the loan is in the sum of 16, 500,000 (sixteen million, five hundred thousand) Liberian dollars.
“I’m happy to be here today to be a part of the first distribution of this project, this is not a new project, these are the new beneficiaries of this project that will be receiving these funds for their betterment.”
As the loan is purposely intended for business, she warns the women about using the money for other purposes, as she believes it might hinder the payment process.
“The only advice I have given to them in private and I will do it today, is that they should use this money to benefit a long term sustainable project. If you go and take the money and say I just want to pay my children school fees, there are some projects that don’t give money back so if you take it you won’t be able to pay the money back.”
She refuted speculations that the process is politically motivated and emphasized it has been going on in tiger counties. But at this points if the loan process, she says it is intended for the people of Bong County, as several other counties have already benefited and others will benefit after Bong.
“The president is not asking for the money back, government is not asking for the money back; it is an empowerment tool for women, but within your groups, whatever funds that are taken will have to be replaced so that other women will have access,” she encourages.
As a indication that it is not a political money, she says the loan is structured to empower business people, who will later pay back after a certain period.
Following their failure to do so, she assured that she will aid the process in ensuring that they do so as agreed upon prior to the disbursement.
After the disbursement of cheques to the various beneficiaries on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, the Vice President said their various accounts will be opened and following the first six months after Tuesday, they will all report on the statuses of their various businesses.
“This project is not a free money, it’s a Mandy that the President has made available through the national budget for sustainability and for women activities.
Considering their involvement in the process, the Vice President acclaimed the Ministry of Commerce Boss for her commitment to the process, and ensuring that it becomes an actuality.
At the time- the Vice President attributed the recent wave of living condition in Liberia to the departure of those she termed as partners who were in Liberia prior to the climax of the Sirleaf’s administration, but suddenly departed following the CDC ascendency to national leadership.
Also in Bong, Wilfred Bangura- the Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry hailed the women for their commitment in remaining consistent to the process amid the challenges processes.
Like the Vice President, he expressed hope that the cash will be used for the intended purpose, in order for other Liberians to benefit also.
