SOURCE: Liberian News Agency
By Ibrahim A. Sherif
MONROVIA (LINA) – The Government of Liberia and the World Bank Group have signed a US$40 million agreement to implement the Liberia Urban Resilience Project.
The project, which was signed on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, is aimed at addressing challenges faced by the cities in Liberia, to meet the cities’ needs, especially in the wake of the ever-growing challenge of climate change.
Speaking at the official signing ceremony of the Liberia Urban Resilience Project at the Ministry of Public Works in Monrovia, the Minister-designate, Madam Ruth Coker-Collins, stated that the project was birthed as a result of a request by President George M. Weah in line with the Pro-poor Agenda to provide support to ordinary Liberians.
She added that the project is intended to address major challenges faced by post-war Liberia, especially in the area of rural urban migration.
Also, Minister Collins stated that the project will help address challenges like flooding which, according to her, is as a result of climate change.
She expressed excitement for the signing of the financing agreement which, according to her, will be used for the implementation of the Liberia Urban Resilience Project.
Also, World Bank Regional Director, Pierre Laporte, expressed gratitude to participants at the signing ceremony of the Liberia Urban Resilience Project, stating that the project was approved two weeks ago (May 17) by the World Bank board.
Mr. Laporte said the project will focus on participative community infrastructure and access to basic services in poor and vulnerable communities and market areas.
The project, said Laporte, seeks to mitigate climate and flood risks and provide basic services and infrastructures in underserved neighborhoods.
He said it will enhance the protection of natural assets, such as mangroves and wetlands which play a critical role in helping Greater Monrovia to manage climate impacts and have multiple and other environmental, economic and social benefits.
The project, which is expected to benefit over 200,000 people, said Laporte, will among other things, strengthen the institutional capacities in resilient integrated urban planning, including the cities of Monrovia, and Paynesville as well as the next three largest cities in Liberia.
For his part, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), Samuel D. Tweah, extolled the World Bank through the instrumentality of the Regional Director, Mr. Pierre Laporte, and the Country Manager, Khwima Nthara.
Tweah said the 40 million financing agreement between the Government of Liberia and the World Bank and other recent signings signify the numerous impacts the institution have had on the infrastructural transformation of the country.
The Liberian Finance Minister emphasized that the World Bank is also a major partner in the country’s road infrastructure development.
He disclosed that through the Liberia Reconstruction Trust Fund with help from the United Kingdom, European Union and the German government, Liberia has mobilized finance for the construction of roads from Sacleapea to Zwedru.
“I can report that through the World Bank we have closed the financing gap from Sacleapea to Zwedru, and the money is available. The President has instructed that the work will start from Zwedru to the other way. The Bank will begin that procurement process,” he indicated.
Tweah said the stretch from Ganta to Sacleapea is funded by the Government of Liberia, citing it is being made possible by “the tax dollars that you pay every day, your personal income tax, your corporate tax, your fees that come to the Government, budget support from our international partners,”
He noted that the people of Nimba County are excited because they now see their tax dollars working for them in real time, noting that the dust that used to affect the people of Ganta to Saclapea will be gone shortly.
Tweah asserted that the World Bank resources are “performing wonders” in Liberia, citing that “here is one country where programs of the World Bank are working.”
However, Tweah lamented that drainages in the cities have become receptacle for waste which, according to him, is counterproductive to the growth and development of the country.
He emphasized that the project is designed to address old-age problems that can help change negative behavioral patterns of Liberians into positive ones that can help the country.
The Liberian Finance Minister revealed that waste disposal in the city will be prioritized at the incoming budget recast.
LINA IAS/WSG/PTK