Legislative Sojourn is a Column produced by the Inprofile Daily newspaper on a weekly basis, which accordingly, seeks to highlight legislators from the fifteen counties and the seventy- districts on their profiles, prospects, challenges and way forward to enable the Liberian people get some insight on the lives and workings of those they entrusted with power to manage the country.
This week edition features River Gee County District #1 Lawmaker Alexander Poure, who is at present servings his second term as lawmakers at the 55th Legislature.
Poure spoke on the progress and challenges of his district during his first term. He described the lack of qualified teachers as a serious challenge to the educational system of his district, which he also vowed to condensed before the end of his second term. This means ensuring that the bill he introduced during his first term be passed for the common good of River Gee and the country as a whole.
The bill he introduced, entitled: “The Rural Education Magnet Bill,” seeks to attract and encourage teachers to take up assignment in in the rural areas.
Poure said the bill was passed by the House of Representatives and sent to the Senate for concurrence, the Senate is yet to act on its passage.
Rep. Poure said the issue of getting some of the qualified teachers in rural communities is a serious challenge, but added: “if the Senate has passed the bill, it could help improve the educational sector; not River Gee alone.
On education being the bed rock to any nation, the lawmaker underscored the need for “our leaders to add value to the sector in support of the bill I introduced.”
Rep. Poure believes that if his self-crated passed into law, it will have lots of benefits for teachers who will desire to work in the rural schools.
“In the absence of this, many of the qualified teachers will prefer venturing in the rural areas across the country.
“To also curtailed some of the educational challenges in my district, I have over the time, personally paid teachers from my pocket, working along with central government to ensure that the names of those ‘volunteer teachers’ are put on payroll.
As to further empower the people of his district, Rep. Poure has introduced a compulsory vocational and technical training, which includes computer, machinery, construction and driving. He’s doing those things to positively impact the lives of the young ones.
Poure is collaborating with other stakeholders to establish a community college to buttress the efforts of students desirous
of seeking higher education.
According to the Rep. Poure, River Gee has up to date, remains one of the country’s under developed counties with lots of challenges.
To serve the locals for a term and be re-elected for the second term, was through the relationship his office built with the people over the years by primarily fulfilling some of his campaign promises for the need of developments.
On the issue of the spoiled roads connectivity, referred to as a ‘walking county,’ Rep. Poure, took that as one of his challenges across the district. This, he said, has impeded the movement of the locals over the years.
Despite the dilapidated conditions of the roads, Poure has constructed new roads, reconditioning some of the badly looking ones including the repair of bridges.
In the health sector, Rep. Poure is also working along with the government ensuring that the residents get the best health services.
Due to the small-side population of the district, Rep. Poure sometimes provide medical materials, including essential drugs to buttress government efforts. This follow the subsequent withdrawal of NGOs that over the years provided good health services for the people.
In the area of security, Rep. Poure spoke of some challenges, adding: “though my district has remained blessed because of the help from the locals.
“My elders are in control of the security situation,” boasting of full collaboration from the residents to combat the issue of illegal drugs and other criminal activities.