Monrovia – Montserrado County Senator Saah Hardy Joseph has announced that construction of the Ducor Technical and Vocational College is 90% complete, with the remaining work expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
Addressing legislative reporters during a recent tour of the facility in the New Georgia Community of Montserrado County, Senator Joseph expressed gratitude to the Johnson Baptist Church in the United States for contributing over US$500,000, in addition to personal donations from friends.
“We even went to the bank and took out a loan to ensure that this building is completed so that our young brothers and sisters can acquire skills that will help them become productive citizens,” he stated.
The lawmaker acknowledged the economic struggles faced by many Liberians, particularly young people who rely on commercial motorbikes for income. He noted that some have turned to drug addiction due to a lack of job opportunities. According to him, the college will provide much-needed opportunities for these youth, helping them build meaningful careers.
Rehabilitation and Skill Training for Individuals Recovering from Addiction
Senator Joseph promised to collaborate with organizations involved in detoxification and rehabilitation to equip individuals recovering from addiction with skills that will sustain them and add value to their lives.
Plan to Decentralize the College
In addition to the New Georgia facility, Senator Joseph revealed plans to decentralize the college by constructing a second campus in Mount Barclay, rural Montserrado. The Mount Barclay campus is expected to accommodate over 10,000 students upon completion. (Note: The headline refers to accommodating over 8,000 students; consider clarifying whether the figure refers to the combined capacity or just one campus.)
“And after Mount Barclay, we will expand into other counties. We are in discussions to acquire land to build more technical institutions,” he stated.
Push to Legislate Ducor Technical College
A ranking member of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Senator Joseph emphasized the urgent need for technical skills training in Liberia. He pledged to work closely with his legislative colleagues to introduce formal legislation establishing the Ducor Technical College.
“We’re going to introduce a bill on the floor, ensuring it passes through both the House of Representatives and the Liberian Senate before being signed into law by the president,” he added.
College Prepares for Student Enrollment
Senator Joseph disclosed that preparations are underway to begin admitting students who have passed the college’s entrance examinations. He also noted that the institution is in the process of recruiting lecturers, including candidates from Sierra Leone, Ghana, and the Philippines.
“I know some of our citizens have been concerned about the delay in opening the college, and that is understandable. But I can assure you that we are 90% completed, and we are pushing to finish the remaining 10%,” he said.
When asked about the total cost of the project, the senator explained that it is difficult to determine an exact figure due to ongoing requests for materials such as sand and cement.
“We can track donated resources and personal contributions, but estimating the total cost is challenging. Our concern was that if an engineer provided an estimate, the figure might discourage us from completing this important work,” he explained.
College as a Poverty Reduction Strategy
Senator Joseph emphasized that his team has remained focused on the college’s construction for the past three years, prioritizing its goal of providing vocational training to individuals facing economic hardships and addiction. He described the project as a poverty reduction strategy aimed at transforming lives.
Discussions on Tuition Fees
Senator Joseph also noted that discussions are ongoing regarding whether the college will charge tuition or operate as a free institution.
“We are consulting with our partners who contributed to the construction. Many of our target students cannot even afford registration fees. Should we shut down the school because they can’t pay? The answer is no,” he said.
He added that his team would engage the national government to determine its level of support, particularly in providing materials and covering lecturers’ salaries.
Commitment to Education and Development
Senator Joseph reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the college serves as a beacon of hope for Liberian youth by providing them with the technical skills needed to secure employment and contribute to national development.
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