YARPAH TOWN, River Cess – When River Cess students complete high school, they are often forced to migrate to either Grand Bassa or Montserrado for vocational training or other forms of higher education.

Besides the Forum for African Women Education Technical Vocational Center in Cestos, there are no other higher education centers for young people in River Cess. However, that may soon change with the construction of a vocational center in Yarpah Town in Central River Cess District.

The project is sponsored by the Community Forest Development Committee of forestry management contract area B.

In keeping with the National Forestry Reform Law of 2006, communities affected by logging activities are entitled to 30 percent of fees paid by logging companies to the national government.

In October 2016, the chairman of the CFDC, Matthew Walley, received US$46,341 from EJ&J Investment Corporation, one of the logging companies operating in the county. The communities decided to use the money to construct a vocational center in Yarpah Town.

The CFDC chairman, Matthew Walley, receives a check from Elisha D.J. Krainyann, CEO of EJ&J Investment.

Walley hailed the project as one that could help the county’s youth.

“This is a great opportunity for the youth of this county because young people from every part of the county and even beyond will benefit,” he said. “Before then, our children used to leave the county just to learn trades like carpentry, masonry, and plumbing. But all will be offered here when this is completed.”

The CFDC chairman added that the agreement between the company and the communities will also ensure that some funds are used to make trainers available at the facility.

Featured photo by Eric Opa Doue