As part of efforts to further strengthen the Liberian Fisheries sector and restore it to its prewar status the CDC led government and the World Bank have signed a USD$3.7 Million project preparatoryagreement toward a national fisheries project valued at US$40 Million to be disbursed during the course of the year.
This project has the prospects to trigger huge revenue generation from the fisheries sector to contribute to the national budget in the short, medium and long term. And will set the basis for the fisheries sector, that is expected to have a lasting impact on the Liberian economy and create numerous jobs opportunities and as well as attract tangible investment from the private sector, a NaFAA press release says.
Speaking Tuesday January 21, 2020 during the land mark signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance in Monrovia, the Director General of NaFAA Mrs. Emma Metieh Glassco disclosed in a joyous mood that the US$40Million project when approved by the world Bank, will rehabilitate and expand Mesurado fishing Pier into an industrialized pier with a processing facility which in her words, will add value to the fishing industry of Liberia.
Mrs. Glassco termed the World Bank agreement as “one of the biggest among several other agreements NaFAA has entered into since 2018 when my administration took over the fisheries sector”
The Liberian Fisheries Boss Glassco further stated that the World Bank funding provides the construction of landing jetties in densely populated coastal counties with huge fishing activities so as to reduce the post-harvest loss and create a more hygienic environment for fish landed by the artisanal fisher folks.
It can be recalled in 2019 Liberia signed a fisheries partnership agreement with the Icelandic government to establish and equip national fisheries competent laboratory to meet international standard for the certification and testing of fish products both for import and export.
The setting up of the competent lab would allow Liberia to gain accreditation from the European Union, the United States, Japan and other international for direct export of fish.
The fisheries agreement comes months after several diplomatic negotiations including discussions that held locally and internationally after the presentations of several documents to serve as justification so as to convince partners about the social-economic benefits of the project with the vision to improve he fisheries sector as Liberia’s natural resources engine for growth.
Madam Glassco recalled that several years back Liberia lost huge revenue to some countries including its neighbors due to the lack of fishing infrastructure which has also affected Liberia’s revenue generation.
Making remarks on behave on the World Bank Office in Liberia, the Country Manager Dr. Khwima Nthara mentioned that the preparation project advancement agreement will help conduct project preparation studies including an environment and social impact assessment and prepare preliminary designs for the construction of the Mesurado integrated fisheries center.
Dr. Khwima stated that given the potential associated with the Liberian Fisheries sector, “Liberia will have now receive an increment of US$40Million United States Dollars to speed up transformation across the fisheries sector and impact the lives and livelihood of Liberians”.
The World Bank Country Manager expressed the hope that “lessons learnt from the previous West Africa Regional Fisheries Project (WARFP) would be integrated into the new fisheries project worth US$40million and speed up its advancement throughout the five coastal counties”.
He added that the project is at the preparatory stage as such the need to have the massive input of all stakeholders so exist to make it successful. Pointing out that “everyone needs to join forces to ensure the project is achievable.”
Dr. Khwima said “we are very excited that we have reaching this point therefore I would like to thank the Director General of NaFAA Mrs. Emma Metieh Glassco, the finance Minister Samuel Tweh and President George Weah for the project preparatory stage and the US$40Million component.”.
Signing the historic sighing ceremony on behave of the government of Liberia, Finance and Development Minister Samuel Tweh who commended the Director General of NaFAA for her commitment to the development of the Liberian fisheries sector, said there exist a great potential for growth and huge revenue collection in the Liberian fisheries sector.
Minister Tweh at the same time commended the World Bank for the high level of support to the fisheries and other well-meaning sectors in Liberia.