Washington DC – The government of Liberia through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority has signed a US$20 million loan and a US$240,000 complementary technical assistance grant with OPEC Fund to co-finance the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project with the World Bank.

OPEC Fund for International Development provided the US$20 million loan and a US$240,000 complementary technical assistance grant to the Republic of Liberia to co-finance the Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project in Liberia.

Madam Emma Metieh Glassco signed on behalf of the government of Liberia while Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa the Director General of OPEC signed on behalf of his organization.

Speaking Friday October 14, 2022 in Washington DC at the World Bank Headquarters, the Director General of OPEC Fund said they are delighted to provide funding to Liberia sustainable Management of Fisheries Project because the project is intended to create job opportunities for coastal dwellers. 

“We are signing today a very important project and it is our honor as a fund along with the World Bank to be part of the signing ceremony.”

Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa disclosed that when he read about the impact the Liberian fisheries project would have on the more than 55,000 beneficiaries OPEC Fund saw the need to provide the necessary funding to help make the project a success.

Additionally, Dr. Alkhalifa stated in a NaFAA press release that the project will also provide what he termed as sustainable job opportunities for coastal community dwellers which they at OPEC consider as welcoming.

The OPEC fund Director General announced that aside from the US20Milliom loan they are providing a complementary technical assistance grant in the tone of US$240,000 which will have particular impact on women in fisheries.

Dr.  Alkhalifa recalled that OPEC Fund has been working with the government of Liberia on several developmental initiatives since 1978.

Speaking on behalf of Liberia, the Director General of the National fisheries and Aquaculture Authority and Fisheries Expert Emma Metieh Glassco mentioned that the objective of the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries is to transition from artisanal fisheries to semi industrial fishing which leads to more. sustainable fishing.

Madam Glassco said such method will help fishermen increase their catch, ensure food security and improve their livelihoods.

“I am super excited that we have been able to attracted additional US$20Million to the US$40Million fisheries project totaling US$60Million for the people of Liberia with the aim of developing our fisheries sector which has enormous potential of contributing to economic growth”.

Madam Glassco said her team was pleased to attract what she called additional US$20Milion for the Liberian Fisheries sector which has enormous potential of contributing to economic growth.

The project will improve the management of fisheries, making it more efficient and sustainable and as well enhance the living conditions of beneficiary communities, creating better incomes and new opportunities for over 55,000 people, including women, children and youth. 

The fisheries sector provides dietary protein for sixty five percent (65%) of Liberia’s population and contributes at least three percent (3%) to the GDP with a huge potential of contributing more considering all the recent foreign investments in post-harvest infrastructure and improvement of coastal livelihood.

The Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project, (LSMFP) will positively impact at least six densely populated coastal counties of the nine coastal counties in Liberia which includes Montserrado, Margibi, Maryland, Grand Bassa, Sinoe and Grand Kru. 

Meanwhile, the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project is designed to improve the ecosystem of fisheries, promote sustainability, increase the volume of fish landings and create more than 2,000 jobs. It will also help to implement climate-smart technologies and climate-resilient business improvements.

Monrovia –  The Director-General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Madam Emma Metieh Glassco, has described private sector investment as the driver of Liberia’s fisheries sector.

A NaFAA release quotes Madam Glassco as saying one way to have a more viable fisheries sector is to attract additional private actors into the area.

Madam Glassco said to pave the way for the acceleration of growth in the sector, NaFAA has strengthened its legal framework.

The NaFAA boss was speaking Thursday March 12, 2020 on Bushrod Island when she was honored as Director-General of the Year 2019 by the Corruption Watch Newspaper.

While dedicating the recognition to President George Manneh Weah and the entire workforce of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, the Director-General attributed the success of her administration to the efficacy of a dedicated and highly qualified team.

“I don’t want to take the glory alone. I want to thank the president for his appointment. I want to thank my team for the support. I want to also thank my deputy for administration and my deputy for technical services. We’re a young team. We are people of like minds that are why we are getting this kind of result”, she said.

The recognition by Corruption Watch Newspaper is the second for work done in 2019.

The NaFAA DG was honored by the Inquirer Newspaper as the Director-General of “the Year 2019 for her outstanding leadership in the revitalization of Liberia’s fisheries sector”.

Speaking earlier, Roland Worwee, Publisher of the Corruption Watch Newspaper said, the appointment of Madam Glassco to the position of Director-General, has witnessed signification transformation at the fishery agency.

According to Worwee, prior to the appointment of Madam Glassco, NaFAA formerly the “Bureau of fisheries” was practically dead. 

“We have observed that through your hard work and innovation the place which was dead has been transformed so quickly. We don’t know how it happened. This sector was not recognized before”.

I’m told you’re the right person in the right place due to your qualification. Your qualification matches your portfolio. It’s like those who were running this place in the past didn’t understand the job”, Mr. Worwee hinted.