Ahead of the construction of the University of Liberia Fishery Science College and the Regional Center of Excellence, with support from the World Bank, contractors of the two companies that won the bid, BITAR and MAK, were over the weekend provided training on health, safety & environment (HSE) during an induction workshop at the University of Liberia Fendell campus’ auditorium. The training was intended to improve the contractors’ knowledge and skills to identify and prevent social and environmental hazards, proactively.
The workshop covered various topics, such as environmental and social impacts, risk management, resource efficiency, pollution prevention, biodiversity protection and community health and safety. It also showcased best practices and high-standard health, safety and environment regulations, aiming to foster a culture of excellence and responsibility among the contractors and workers assigned to the project.
It can be recalled that the Government of Liberia (GOL), through the National Fishery and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), received funding from the World Bank Group for the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fishery Project (LSMFP). It seeks to improve fishery management and enhance the government’s and targeted beneficiaries’ livelihood and income.
A component of this project is the construction of the University of Liberia Fishery College and Regional Center of Excellence. The landmark activity will help strengthen fishery education and research in Liberia. It is captured under the sub-component 1.1 of the project, which focuses on institutional strengthening and capacity-building component as part of the agreement signed by the GoL, aimed at sustainably managing fishery resources.
Speaking at the occasion, the Project Coordinator, Dr. Lawrence Issah Braimah, intimated that the construction of the University of Liberia Fishery College is a strategic component of the project that will help develop fishery and aquaculture sector skills and knowledge. This, he emphasized, is vital for Liberia’s economic and social development.
Braimah said, “In the construction industry, where every project is the collaboration of skills, expertise and hard work, safety is the foundation upon which we build success. It is not just a priority; our moral obligation is to ensure every person on our construction site returns home safely at the end of the day.”
He further stated that safety is a core value that assures commitment to looking out for one another and creating an environment where everyone feels secure, valued, and supported, cautioning the contractors not to consider safety a check box but a promise they make to themselves through practical actions.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the University of Liberia Fishery Science Department, Dr. Alvin Juseah, described the project as a milestone, and promised the university’s full compliance to the construction.
BITAR and MAK construction companies are contractors of the University of Liberia Fishery College project.
For their part, the contractors thanked NaFAA and the World Bank for supporting the initiative. They emphasized that investing in health and safety education will protect their workforce and positively influence productivity for constructing the University of Liberia Fishery College and Regional Center of Excellence.
