OJ Godfavor Morris Jr., Superintendent of Margibi County, has announced a new initiative to recognize, organize, and empower Margibi residents based on their skills, interests, and professional backgrounds. His goal is to make sure that people with expertise in important areas like engineering, medicine, agriculture, and the arts are actively involved in the county’s development.
At the Kakata Intellectual Forum (KAIF) on July 26, Superintendent Morris criticized the ongoing practice of hiring contractors from outside the county while local qualified professionals remain overlooked.
“We have engineers here in Margibi, but they’re not the ones building our roads. Instead, outsiders are brought in. Is that fair?” he asked, earning applause from the crowd.
He pointed out that the county has many trained professionals who haven’t had the chance to use their skills meaningfully. “These young people studied engineering, medicine, agriculture, and the arts to make a difference. But they haven’t had the opportunities to show what they can do. That will change under my leadership,” Morris promised.
Creating Opportunities for Local Talent
Superintendent Morris said his team will work with the county’s legislative group and other partners to set up a clear system to classify and organize professionals by their fields. This, he said, will make things more efficient and fair when it comes to job assignments.
He also highlighted that many doctors in Margibi are not fully used despite the county’s serious healthcare needs. Likewise, musicians and artists, whom he called “the voice and pride of Margibi,” have not gotten the support they need to grow their careers and represent the county on larger stages.
“We have musicians who have written songs for Margibi, yet they remain without exposure. We also have doctors and farmers who can help develop our county, but they haven’t been given the chance,” he said.
Youth Development as a Priority
A big part of Morris’s plan is to empower young people. He said his administration will create ways for young professionals to show their talents and help the county grow.
“As we work to unite and develop Margibi, young people with the right qualifications will be given chances to perform. This isn’t just about jobs—it’s about giving them experience and recognition,” he explained.
He also spoke about Liberia’s struggles with farming, noting that the lack of government-run farms has hurt food security and the economy. He promised to work with local agricultural experts to revive farming in Margibi, which he said has rich land that could help feed the nation.
Roundtable with Engineers
One of Superintendent Morris’s first steps will be to hold a roundtable meeting with all qualified engineers in the county. The goal is to find out the problems they face and come up with ways to include them in county projects.
“All qualified engineers in Margibi will have a place at the table. We won’t give our projects to outsiders when our own people can do the work. They need to be part of rebuilding this county,” Morris said firmly.
Morris’s plans have given hope to many Margibi residents, especially local professionals who have long felt ignored in favor of outside contractors. People believe that if the plan is put into action well, it could lower unemployment, boost the local economy, and create a stronger sense of ownership in county projects.
Some, however, point out that the success of this plan depends on having enough funds, transparency, and good teamwork between the Superintendent’s office, the legislative group, and development partners.
For now, Superintendent OJ Godfavor Morris Jr.’s promise to recognize and empower skilled Margibians stands as an important move toward inclusive leadership and local development.
