The Inquirer
Monrovia, Liberia

Distributed by

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia

Posted July 1, 2004

The hope of war-weary Marylanders has been rekindled following fruitful discussions between NTGL Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant and a two-man investor-team, comprising an American and a Liberian, which has expressed interest to invest over US$5 million dollars in the rubber industry.

The investment package will upgrade the facilities of the former Cavalla Rubber Company (CRC) plantation currently in ruins in Pleebo, Maryland County; settle arrears of over 700 direct workers who were affected by the 14-year civil war thus indirectly benefiting over 15,000 residents of the county.

Those behind the investment package according to information gathered from a one-day meeting last Saturday with Chairman Bryant at the Executive Mansion and a cross-section of Marylanders including members of the Maryland Legislative Caucus, Maryland University Students, elders, chiefs, Maryland women and prominent sons and daughters of the county, are Mr. Morris Lewis, III, a famous American footballer who is currently the all pro line backer for New York Jets.

Mr. Morris Lewis is two times Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the American National Football League and has become the first famous American athlete to visit Liberia after Mohammad Ali in the 80s. The other partner of the investment initiative, Mr. Richelieu Williams, a son of Maryland County, is a businessman currently residing in the United States of America.

According to the information, Chairman Bryant pledged his full support during his meeting with the duo, and expressed his government’s profound delight over the investors’ desire and preparedness to invest in the Maryland County and thereby create job opportunities for the people of the Southeastern region of Liberia.

The transitional government head however, was concerned about the realization of the investment package and encouraged the two partners to use their goodwill to encourage other potential investors into the country to give the nation’s economy a boost, thereby improving the livelihood of the suffering population.

The investors disclosed that their interest to come and invest in Liberia, Maryland County for that matter, was based upon a request by representatives James Bannie and David Saydee of the Maryland Legislative Caucus who paid a visit to the United States after taking note of their (investors) activities in the United States and other areas.

While in the country to explore possibility of investing in the rubber industry, the investors met with the National Transitional Legislative Assembly Speaker George Dweh who assured them of his full support, and also met with the authorities of the United States embassy near Monrovia and the Maryland County Legislative Caucus in the same vein.

Meanwhile, following an all night jubilation by Marylanders over the good news of the investment, they showered praises and gowned the two investors, Messrs Lewis and Williams. They conferred the title of paramount chief and the name, “Wahmu” meaning Savior in the Grebo dialect, upon the American football star and businessman.

In a related development, Maryland County University Students(MUSA) received an offer of US$3,500 to go towards the payment of half of their tuition and fees by the two investors.