Monrovia, Liberia - The visiting World Bank Executive Director says as Liberia needs the World Bank to fast track actions towards its reconstruction and human capacity development drive, he will ensure a speedy action from the World Bank in implementing the required need of Liberia.
Speaking during a meeting with authorities at the Ministry of Finance and development Planning, Dr Louis Rene Peter Larose indicated that he will ensure that disbursement intended for Liberia’s economy recovery are delivered on time.
According to a Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) release, Dr. Larose maintained that given its establishment, the World Bank has a major role to perform in helping country like Liberia address its challenges by providing support in terms of improving the lives of its people.
“It’s about transforming the lives of the people. We are concern about the lives of the people as I can see a huge potential within Liberia, but nevertheless we have to address the challenges. Your case demands special attention. I have already met with the Country Director of the Bank and informed her that we need action. At the end of the day, I have to defend and promote the interest of Liberia.” He averred.
Dr. Larose who is being accompanied by one of his advisors, Dr. Anthony Barclay, a Liberia with over thirty (30) years of development experience, stated that “Upon my return to Washington, I will personally present the case of Liberia to the World Bank in making sure that whatsoever demands or projects having difficulties are speedily resolved.”
In his remarks, Finance and Development Planning Minister, Boima Kamara informed Dr. Larose and delegation that support from the World Bank is highly needed and critical for Liberia’s political and security transition in ensuring stability during the 2017 presidential and general elections.
Minister Kamara disclosed that these are important and critical times that all of the support will be needed to ensure the stability of the country, emphasizing the need for more partnership with multilateral institutions, especially the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Recounting the contributing factors that have caused a decline of the Liberian economy, Minister Kamara who cited the deadly Ebola outbreak and the global economic meltdown, named critical areas of support that need assistance from the World Bank.
He indicated that at the moment, there is a global effect on some planned activities of the government in terms of implementing priority projects, as support from the World Bank towards Liberia’s economy growth is critical to the growth of the citizens.
Stating key priority projects, Minister Kamara named the rehabilitation of the Roberts International Airport terminal and runway, completion of the hydro, road projects connecting Liberia with its neighbors, as well as some strategic rural road connections.