President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Saturday, June 30, dedicated the newly built Parker Corner Market Building in the Parker Corner Community in Brewerville, Montserrado County.

An Executive Mansion release issued said the project was implemented by the Office of the Senior Adviser (OSA) to the President, Mr. Robert A. Sirleaf.

Since the ascendancy of President Sirleaf as Liberia’s first female President, OSA has undertaken dozens of community-based projects, including mini-sports stadia, market buildings, school buildings, latrines, hand pumps and wells, according to the release.

Performing the dedication ceremony on behalf of Mr. Sirleaf, the President thanked residents of Parker Corner for being good citizens. She also recognized OSA’s Project Implementing Team, which is responsible for all projects.

The Liberian leader reminded the residents of Parker Corner, particularly the youth that empowerment starts with oneself, and thus self-empowerment was key in the personal lifting up of communities and individuals.

She urged the youths to identify a project or initiative to be undertaken in the community, and said she would personally support such an effort. President Sirleaf reiterated government’s commitment to transform the country for the benefit of all Liberians.

"Development will surely reach everyone, regardless of your status; it doesn’t matter whether you are a market woman, yanna boy, motorcyclist, or student," the release quotes the Liberian leader as saying.

Speaking earlier, the head of the Marketing Association in the area, the Representative of District #17, the youth leader, women’s leader, the Elder Council and Senator Geraldine Doe- Sheriff praised President Sirleaf and her Senior Adviser for erecting a decent structure for the community’s use. They noted that, with the new market, residents and marketers could now avoid traveling long distances to buy and sell their produce and goods. They assured the President that the market will be used for the intended purpose and protected against misuse and looting.

Among government officials present for the dedication were: the Minister of Gender and Development, Julia Duncan-Cassell; the Deputy Minister of Information for Public Affairs, Isaac W. Jackson; and the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs for Administration, Varney Sirleaf.