Monrovia – Liberian President George Manneh Weah says his administration is enforcing two key attributes as part of an overall rebranding of his administration.
In discussions with officials of the Work Bank Group Wednesday, the President, who has come under fire over his refusal to make his assets public in the midst of alleged construction of several properties , reiterated his administration’s commitment to tackling the prevailing economic challenges facing the country, while professing that transparency and accountability policies are being practiced at all levels of the government as part of concrete measures to salvage the ailing economy inherited from the previous administration of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
In recent days, the administration has been throwing pointed jabs at its predecessors over some US$100 million dollars it is disputing in discussions a team of experts and tacticians from the International Monetary Fund(IMF).
The administration is arguing that the amount which came to the country from the IMF between 2014 and 2016 – when former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s government was in charge, should be classified as a loan because it did not go through legislative approval.
The administration has also announced plans to go after officials of the past government accused of corruption, drawing criticisms from many who say those entangled in graft in the current administration are being given a free pass.
The World Bank officials who paid a courtesy call on President Weah included two outgoing officials: Dr. Henry Kerali, World Bank Country Director for Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ghana and the Country Manager for Liberia, Larisa Leshchenko. The successor of the Banks’ Liberian Country Manager, Khwima Nthara, was also in the meeting, according to an Executive Mansion statement Wednesday.
President Weah said his administration will continue to uphold the independence of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) towards implementing measures to resuscitate the country’s economy. He added that his recent appointment of some officials of the CBL ahead of a vetting process to pick a new CBL Governor is part of efforts to ensure a credible and independent Central Bank.
The President added that the government has frozen further borrowing from the CBL for liquidity stabilization purpose.
He thanked the World Bank Group and its officials for their support to Liberia’s economic recovery efforts and promised Government’s cooperation and support to the Bank’s new Country Manager, Dr. Khwima Nthara.
In remarks, Dr. Kerali said it was a great opportunity working with President Weah and his Government during his term.
He said World Bank Group remains committed to helping Liberia. He disclosed that the Bank would be increasing its funding to US$210 million for a three-year period.
Dr. Kerali expressed the interest of the World Bank Liberia team in working with the government to review some concessions agreements.
He stressed the importance of the Southeastern Corridor Road Asset Management Project (SECRAMP), promising that the World Bank would ensure that the project becomes a reality.
“We will support you and people of Liberia to achieve their potential,” Dr. Kerali told President Weah.