ZWEDRU CITY, Grand Gedeh County – Deputy Managing Director for Operations at the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), Hon. Eric Ceekay Sayee, has donated US$1,000 and pledged a laptop and printer to Smile FM Community Radio in support of the station’s operations.
The donation was announced on Saturday, October 31, 2026, during the station’s 26th anniversary celebration in Zwedru City. Sayee was represented at the event by Steve Wisdom Collins, who delivered the keynote address as guest speaker.
Speaking on behalf of the LPRC official, Collins thanked the station for the invitation and said the US$1,000 donation was intended to help meet some of its operational needs. He also announced Sayee’s commitment to provide a new laptop and printer to improve the station’s broadcasting and administrative work.
Media’s Role in National Development
Delivering his address under the theme, “Amplifying Community Voices, Promoting Peace and Advancing Sustainable Development,” Collins highlighted the media’s responsibility to inform citizens, promote accountability, and encourage public participation in national development.
He referenced the Government of Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) 2025–2029, describing it as the country’s development framework for guiding government programmes and priorities.
The agenda focuses on six key areas: Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism.
Collins explained that these priorities address important needs of ordinary Liberians, including increased agricultural production, better road connections between farming communities and markets, access to justice, improved education, public health, sanitation, and tourism development.
He cautioned, however, that implementing the ARREST Agenda should not be left to the government alone, noting that national development requires the involvement of all sectors of society.
Call for Greater Media Involvement
Collins called for cooperation among government ministries and agencies, county authorities, the Legislature, public corporations, private businesses, civil society organizations, development partners, traditional leaders, and citizens to ensure the success of the national development plan.
He also urged journalists and media institutions to go beyond reporting daily events by educating the public, encouraging meaningful discussions, monitoring development projects, and holding public officials accountable for their promises.
According to him, community radio stations have an important role in reaching people in remote communities and ensuring that their concerns are heard in national discussions.
The US$1,000 donation and pledge of a laptop and printer come as Smile FM celebrates 26 years of broadcasting in Grand Gedeh County.
The support is expected to assist the station in its daily operations and strengthen its ability to provide information, education, and entertainment to listeners in Zwedru and surrounding communities.
The anniversary celebration also highlighted the contribution of community radio to public awareness, local development, and democratic participation in Liberia.
