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Monrovia, Liberia - The governments of France and Liberia on Wednesday signed a 10 million euro grant agreement to support vulnerable communities under the Greater Monrovia Integrated Development Project.

French Ambassador Michael ROUX represented the government of France, while deputy economic management minister Augustus J. Flomo, represented the government of Liberia at the signing.

Liberia's Deputy Finance Minister Augustus J. Flomo said the project will help improve the living conditions of the population by reducing their vulnerability to the effects of climate change and by strengthening urban management capacities.

Hon. Flomo says the project will specifically support three neighborhoods of Greater Monrovia through the improvement of access to basic services, soft mobility infrastructures and quality public spaces adapted and resilient to the effects of climate change.

He commended the French government for ensuring their projects aligned with Liberia development programs.

The project, according to French ambassador Michael ROUX, will provide basic services and infrastructures to local communities exposed to poor living conditions and highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change in greater Monrovia.

ROUX explained that the signing ceremony follows the pledge made by the French foreign minister in June 2021 to Liberia’s foreign minister.

“This project to rehabilitate precarious neighborhoods in the main Liberian agglomeration is fully in line with the priorities of the country's national development strategy, the PAPD "Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development", which France is supporting and wishes the success of”, Ambassador ROUX said.

According to him, the project is a concrete expression of the excellent relations between Liberia and France, which were marked by the historical visit of the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs in 2021.

He notes that it is complementary to other actions France carries out through multilateral channels, mainly through the European Union and UN specialized institutions such as the World Bank or the IMF.

“This is complementary to other actions France and French stakeholders are carrying to promote growth - an autonomous private sector driven growth - enterprise and employment in Liberia”, he said.

Ambassador ROUX expressed confidence that the project will contribute to bring a better life to the people of Liberia.

“I was very happy with the visit we paid yesterday to the Communities in Lakpazee. I promise I will visit the place again as well as the other ones, Shoe factory and Wood Camp, as the project unfolds' '.