Monrovia – Mr. Nathaniel McGill, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, will lead a four-man delegation to Japan to negotiate a US$500 million loan for Liberia Costal Road Project.
Report by Henry Karmo – [email protected]
The effort, according to Minister McGill, is in fulfilment of President George Weah’s promise to construct coastal roads in the Southeast.
During his annual message in January, President Weah promised that his administration will construct a coastal highway from Buchanan to Harper, which could eventually end the isolation of six south-eastern counties.
“There is a medium-term project which will take several years to complete, but it is the intention of my government to prioritize the planning and raising of funding for this important development goal, which has been estimated to cost approximately three billion dollars, the President disclosed.
“This is going to be very challenging, but I am convinced that, with the assistance of friendly governments and institutions, this can be achieved before the end of my tenure.”
Members of the delegation include; Justice Minister Frank Musa Dean, Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and Public Works Minister Mabutu Nyenpan.
While in Japan, the delegation is expected to visit other friendly nations and individuals.
He also said, the coastal road project will commence from Buchanan, Grand Bassa to Cestos City, River Cess, Sinoe, Greenville, Sass Town, and Barclayville, Grand Kru and Harper, Maryland Counties.
The State for Presidential Affairs Minister disclosed that the government plans to commence the project during the early parts of the pending fiscal calendar.
He is confident that friendly nations and multi-international funding groups have committed themselves to provide financial assistance to the Weah’s administration.
“This administration is destined for bigger accomplishments; we are not concerned about those who want to criticize blindly.”
“Our dream is to move the development agenda faster,” Mr. McGill said.”
“As far as President Weah is concerned, he wants to create avenues that will help to reduce the high percentage of unemployment rate here especially, among the youthful generation.”
Minister McGill disclosed that the CDC-led government’s immediate strategy for reducing poverty is by increasing youth empowerment through job creation and training, and improving the productivity of the economy.
The government also intends to embark upon a comprehensive road and highway construction program that will link all county capitals with all-weather paved primary roads.