Pres. Weah rolls out 5-year economic empowerment plan under “Pro-poor Agenda

By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com

The Liberian Government has launched its pro poor agenda, optimistic of genuine income security for one million Liberians.

President George Weah said over the next five years, government will put in place the necessary mechanisms and institutions for socio-economic prosperity.

He added that Liberia cannot be developed without quality infrastructure, including good road network, affordable energy, air and sea ports, and skillful labor.

President Weah was speaking over the weekend when he launched his administration’s Pro Poor Agenda in Gumpa,  Nimba County.

For his part, Finance and Development Planning Minister, Samuel Tweah, further explained that the national development plan aims to diversify the Liberian economy through the private sector.

Finance Minister Samuel Tweah 

Government, he assured, will ensure that this works in the interest of the vast majority of its citizenry, mostly living in abject poverty.

The cabinet retreat ended with a consensus to generate one billion United States Dollars through domestic mobilization strategy, according to the minister.

 Tweah added that as a part of the plan, the cabinet agreed that task waivers enjoyed by government officials and diplomats will be terminated.

Tax exemption, he noted, adversely affected the government over the last 12 years; adding, the president along with the cabinet, has agreed to implement this plan because it is in the interest of the people.

Also speaking at the launch of the poverty alleviation plan was the UNDP Resident Representative Yacoub El Hillo, who assured the Liberian government of the international community’s support to the Pro Poor Agenda.

Statements of support also came from the USAID, the EU, ECOWAS, among others, at the program graced by many including members of the diplomatic community, youth groups and local government.