(KINGSVILLE, UPPER MONTSERRADO COUNTY, Sunday, April 27, 2014) President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commissioned a mineral water processing plant in upper Montserrado County committing government to supporting Liberia-owned businesses.
Montserrado County District #1 Representative Josephine Francis, proprietress and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Aquarius Mineral Water recently brought into the country new ‘state of the art’ equipment to produce pure and safe drinking water and other beverages for the Liberian market. The Aquarius Mineral Water is part of the Liberia Resources Incorporated, a conglomeration of Aquaruis Beverages, Liberia Brick and Tile and Arjay Farm situated in Kingsville, upper Montserrado County.
According to an Executive Mansion release, speaking during the commissioning ceremony on Sunday, April 27, President Sirleaf said she was glad that Mrs. Francis could take and pay back the loan subsequently leading to the establishment of the beverage processing plant thereby demonstrating that Liberians, when focused, can do what people see as impossible.
The Liberian leader said it is time to support Liberian businesses as they have shown potential that when supported, they can make the difference, citing Representative Francis as an example. “Liberian business structures have over the years favored big businesses especially concessionaires due to lack of capital leading to marginalization; but what we see now is a real demonstration that Liberians can do it too,” said President Sirleaf.
She said despite government’s meager resources, it is ready support Liberian Small-Medium Enterprises through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and encouraged the Ministry to further engage Liberian businesses in actualizing their dreams.
The proprietress and CEO of the Liberia Resources Incorporated, Representative Francis, speaking earlier, said Liberia should not be relying on imported water when there is abundance of water here which motivated and encouraged her to venture into the business.
With the setting up of the water purification plant, according to Representative Francis, her company will begin to supply the Liberia market with varieties of beverages beginning May 15. She called on her compatriots to be encouraged to venture in similar business in order to empower themselves.
Hon Francis thanked the President Sirleaf and her administration for creating the enabling environment where Liberian businesses are now competing with foreign entities especially in the water processing industry.
The commissioning ceremony was graced by United States Ambassador Deborah Malac, Commerce and Industry Minister Axel Addy, the president of the Liberia Chamber of Commerce Monie Captan as well as residents of Kingsville, upper Montserrado County.
The Aquarius Beverages, part of the Liberia Resources Incorporated, was established in 2008 by Mr. and Roger Francis to produce beverages. They began with the production of water sachets but later encountered production problem that eventually slowed down operation for a few years.
Mr. Jerolinmek Matthew Piah