Photo from recent World Bank Delegation Visit to NaFAA’s Technical Building following a tour of the Mesurado Pier
The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) attention has clarified earlier reports on the approval of US$20 million by the World Bank’s Board.
Earlier this week, a press release from NaFAA said that the Bank’s officials had said that more resources are being secured to support Liberia’s fisheries sector during a tour of the institution’s facilities.
In a press release dated May 16, 2022, which was carried by this and other media outlets, NaFAA said:
“Sanjay Srivastava, the World Bank Practice Manager on Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy for West and Central Africa, said the additional support in the tone of 20 million United States dollars was approved following commitment and assessment of a demonstrated will by the government through NaFAA to effectively manage fisheries.”
“The additional 20 million was prompted by the promise assured by the government of Liberia that they can really grow the fisheries sector economy very well and so far they have shown leadership and motivation to really use the money effectively and they have laid out clearly a good agenda both on the investment side and the livelihood side as well as on the reforms side in terms of the changes they want to bring.”
But in a press release issued today, Thursday, May 19, 2022, the fisheries authority said: “The attention of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority has been drawn to several news publications wrongly quoting the World Bank Team on the approval of $20M by its board of directors.
The visiting World Bank team from Washington DC whilst touring NaFAA facility for an ongoing World Bank Project approved in November 2021; stated during an interview, that they were impressed with the progress made by the government and on which basis, that, there could be a possibility of sourcing additional financing through one of its partners.”
“NaFAA, would like to inform the general public that the sourcing of an additional funding is in a working process and is yet to be finalized and on the other hand thanked the World Bank for its enormous support towards the fisheries sector of Liberia,” added the clarification press release from NaFAA..