By T.R Dixon
MONROVIA: A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), known as “Our Seeds Tomorrow,” has finalized arrangements to invest US$10 Million into agriculture project in Lofa County, in the Northern region of Liberia, with the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the Government of Liberia (GOL), through the Ministry of Justice (MOJ).
Speaking at the signing ceremony, held at the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) in Sinkor, Monrovia, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, Mr. Dazia M. Fumbah, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ‘Our Seeds Tomorrow” noted that the NGO is dedicated to providing education for future leaders through the construction of schools in Liberia.
He indicated that through the project, there will also be public health awareness and education.
He added that there will be general education, indicating that the purpose, scope, and intent of the project is to provide the cornerstone and structure for any and all future contracts being considered by the Parties.
According to him, the objective is to work with central government in the development of policies and procedures aimed at the promotion and sustenance of a market for agricultural products.
He added that the NGO, “Our Seeds Tomorrow” will create an institute to grow a Community Development Program to influence and benefit thousands of individuals in Fissibu, in Lofa County, and its surrounding communities.
He added that, the purpose of the institute is to provide a comprehensive Science, Technology, Environmental, Agriculture and Math (STEAM) educational program as well as service-learning courses where students will be able to work in the field managed by the institute.
He added that there will be small-scale local farmers to promote sustainable community development, and to maintain products and services that meet or exceed both business and industry standards.
He further indicated that the MOU is not a legally binding instrument between his NGO and the Liberian government.
“A binding commitment with respect to the project described herein will result only from execution of a definitive agreement, subject to the conditions contained therein. Notwithstanding the two preceding sentences of this paragraph, the parties shall use their best efforts to ensure that this MOU is fully implemented,” he said.
The GOL, through Ministry of Education, shall use its best efforts to support the NGO with standby instructors and specialists, when needed by the NGO in the implementation of its operations, he further explained.
The Campus will provide support to facilitate the obtaining of permits and authorizations from competent administrative authorities; guarantee the availability of tax benefits provided for by the appropriate legislation applicable for education programs of this type; and facilitate implementation and approval of infrastructure (education, health, security, etc.).
“Our Seed Tomorrow” shall render and provide the following services that include, but are not limited to develop the Fissibu campus with the support of its NGO partners (to be determined) to teach the local citizens to improve the local economic conditions and the local infrastructure which has constrained development, particularly, roads, energy, and water and sanitation,” he said.
Mr. Fumbah asserted that through the implementation of this program, his NGO will use its best efforts in teaching students the basic tenets to improve the management of solid waste to improve sanitation and prevent diseases, thus improving their relationship with the environment and the conservation of natural resources and the provision of a local energy source.
He said the NGO will use its best efforts to teach hundreds of families how to improve their farming works as small-scale producers through a training process to increase their income, improve their diet, family health and quality of life and create commercial export operations to employ students and local citizens.
He said this initiative will provide fair wages and benefits through professional training and development to produce crops and crafts that can be transported to other parts of Liberia and the world.
Touching on the term of the MOU, he said the memorandum shall be for a period of five (5) years from the effective date and maybe extended upon written mutual agreement of both parties.
The NGO shall manage all funds it generates both in Liberia and abroad for the implementation of present and future projects in Liberia without the intervention of GOL.
For his part, Cllr. Frank Musah Dean, Jr. Minister of Justice & Attorney General of Liberia lauded Mr. Fumbah for his interest to invest in Liberia and used the occasion to call on other well-meaning Liberians around the world to emulate his good example.
