By Our Staff Writer
In his fourth State of the Nation Address today, Monday, January 225, 2021, Liberian President George Manneh Weah has admitted that the state of the economy “remains challenged, but has assured citizens that his CDC government will focus on the “bread and butter issues”.
Three years ago on January 22, 2018, he took over on the mantra, “change for hope” and promised to make life better for ordinary Liberia, reducing poverty under his “Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development”. But conditions have become worse by the day economically for most Liberians, with the unemployment rate at an all- time high. .
He has therefore ordered officials in his government to take note, as it is time “to recalibrate”, with this new marching orders from the Liberian Chief Executive coming over a months after his ruling CDC party suffered massive defeat at the polls in the December 8, 2020 Special Senatorial election.
“There will be no room for errors–government officials, please take note,” President Weah cautioned his officials.
Addressing the joint session of the 54th Legislature at the Capitol Building in Monrovia, the Liberian leader announced that although the state of the economy “remains challenged,the fundamentals remain sound and strong”.
He earlier however acknowledge that the Liberian economy is suffering from an ongoing cash shortage in the banks, with 40%of in the rate of the Liberian dollar banknotes being mutilated, despite the printing of LD$4 billion in July 2020.
President Weah is calling on the Legislature to act on a Central Bank of Liberia(CBL) recent request to print over LD$27 banknotes, promising to submit a Bill to ensure currency reform.
The Liberian leader blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for a number of strain on the country’s economy during the year 2020.
But he said despite the challenges of COVID, öur development drive has not been derailed.
President Weah concluded by describing the overall state of the nation as “stable and peaceful”.