The adage, “The Christmas that will be well celebrated is determined from its eve,” is the case of Montserrado County’s district #4 Representative, Michael M. Thomas, whose first district report has outlined several achievements and prospect for the district.
Representative Thomas, who was elected during the 2023 presidential and legislative elections as district #4’s third representative, is leading the district with a whirlwind development agenda in every sector.
During Representative Thomas’s annual legislative report, held at the Living-In-Christ Church on Du-Port Road, February 1, 2025, he told the mammoth crowd that the 55th Legislature started operation on January 15, 2024 and ended January 6, 2025, and that the cardinal function of the legislature is representation, lawmaking and oversight.
Mostly, the year under review had 76 regular sittings, 32 executive sittings, 7 special sittings and 31 leadership sittings, totaling 146.
Representative Thomas informed his constituents that he participated in 144 sittings and was absent from two, which was granted by plenary.
During these legislative sessions, he said he sponsored the Paynesville Community College Bill, co-sponsored the Bill to Preserve Wetlands in Paynesville, TVET Commission Bill and Railroad Commission Bill. These bills were passed in the lower house and are before the Liberian Senate for concurrence.
In furtherance, he said he sponsored elections in the 36 communities of the district, and each of them has elected their leadership.
As an altruistic representative, Representative Thomas alarmed to plenary through a written communication, citing the condition of the Whein Town Landfill Depository Site as posing threat to residents there. In the same manner, he wrote the management of the Liberia Water and Sewage Corporation (LWSC) to assess the quality of groundwater and reduction in the supply of water to the same community, and reopen water kiosks along projects within district #4, and the project is underway.
Moreover, in a missive to plenary, he requested the appearance of the Education Minister to elucidate the status of the government’s free and compulsory education policy, and likewise wrote plenary for the Public Works Minister to include the pavement of FDA-Bernard Farm and Kpelleh Town roads in the ministry’s plan for feeder roads, and they were achieved.
As fire ravaged several homes and claimed people’s lives in 2024, Representative Thomas communicated with plenary about the importance of each district to own a fire truck, and it was approved by plenary, and district #4 is poised to benefit from a fire truck very soon.
He pleaded with plenary again for the National Disaster Management’s appearance to outline their services and challenges to plenary during disaster time so that they derive an assistance plan—how they legislators’ help can be decided upon. He said these and other things he advocated for and were granted.
Representative Thomas disclosed that he reconciled the district through a stakeholders meeting held at Sammy Dukuly High School, provided education opportunity in every community, especially in Du-Port Road, where the Thomas’ Foundation is running a free academic and vocational school, and has purchased a parcel of land in Soul Clinic to construct the academic and vocational school. He has vowed to do it district-wide.
Continuing, he stated that he sponsored 36 communities’ elections in the district during the year under review and they have democratic leaderships. Representative Thomas also granted seven blocs under Soul Clinic and Bernard Farm communities, and each has a community status. He said he distributed safety helmets, reflection jackets and gasoline to motorcyclists in the district. Likewise, food and non-food items to the needy.
Not only these, but the Representative said he also made donation of medical supplies to clinics and hospitals in the district and beyond it. He distributed and installed solar lights across the district, followed by community road rehabilitation; he provided light poles, cables and streetlights for citizens of Cross River community also. He said he also promoted safe-drinking water system by drilling wells and installing hand pumps in 10 communities. He liaised with the Liberia National Police and providing security for the district, and so on.
Representative Thomas revealed the following projects as a challenge: a renowned and standardized community college in the district, a public health facility, pavement and opening of community roads, providing safe-drinking water and the electrification of the district.
“These needs are greatly pressing considering our rapid growth in population, socioeconomic status and the ideal geographical location of the district,” Representative Thomas said in a patriotic and development tone. “We can make a difference by sharing our knowledge and experiences on how we as a people can have a viable district.”
In the end, he presented the following as 2025 prospects: continuation of road rehabilitation, bridges district-wide, construction of academic and vocational school, clinic or hospital in Soul Clinic, relaunching of the Mobile Clinic, the advocacy against rape, sexual and gender-based violence and anti-drugs – “Our Girls Deserve Better, Men Keep Off”, among others.