By Leroy M. Sonpon, III from Bomi County

Photo on Flickr by The Advocacy Project

The Nigerian Contingent NIBATT 22 of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), in collaboration with Tubmanburg City Corporation (TCC), on Saturday, November 14, 2009, launched a major 30-day refurbishment campaign of Blue Lake to make it both a tourist and investor attraction.

Blue Lake is one of the natural wonders of Liberia, situated in the pristine forest of Bomi County, the lake has a depth of about 350 feet. It lies midway between the peaks of the surrounding mountains which, with the reflection of the sun  gives it its bluish hue.

Making remarks at the launch, the Commanding General of NIBATT 22, Lt. Gen. Benjamin O. Sowyerr, told reporters that the 30-day renovation exercise of the Blue Lake is intended to create a tourist and investment attraction and to empower the youth of Bomi County.

The NIBATT 22 Commander further indicated that the renovation of Blue Lake would be carried out in three phases, namely, the clearing of the grass, renovation of the huts, and the training of about 200 youth in masonry, painting and carpentry, with the objective of providing job opportunities for themselves as well as maintaining the revamped  facilities of the Lake.

“The renovation of Blue Lake, which is one of Liberia’s wonders, is causing so much excitement. We intend to make it an investor’s haven. And we hope at the end of the renovation, an array of government officials will be led by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to attend the official opening of the tourism facilities of Blue Lake,” Lt. Gen. Sowyerr accentuated.

For his part, Tubmanburg City Mayor, Ghilley D. Karnley Sr., lauded NIBATT 22 for the collaborative effort in helping to transform Blue Lake into a catchment area, and to train the youths of Bomi County.

“We are grateful and want to assure you of our help to make the Blue Lake, which is being touted as an investor’s haven, beautiful. We are also happy of the determination to teach the youths of Bomi County in some disciplines in construction.

“Lastly, we are believing in God to build a multi-purpose gym, children’s playground and other facilities, to make the Blue Lake very attractive for tourists,” Mr. Karnley averred.

Reports have it that an earlier face-lift of Blue Lake was undertaken by the Pakistan Contingent through the instrumentality of Senator Richard Devine of Bomi County.
It can be recalled that Senator Devine, who had done a comprehensive study of the Lake and its environs, narrated that the Blue Lake came about through spring waters from underground from a very huge pit dug by Liberia Mining Company (LMC), an American-owned company, in the 1950s.