Gov’t anticipates US$2.1b resource mobilization
-- To increase electricity access to 75%
The funds will enhance electricity supply and road infrastructure development for investments and job opportunities.
By Lincoln G. Peters
Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan says the government anticipates mobilizing from its development partners US$2.1 billion to address the 33% access to electricity to 75%.
The funds will also enhance road infrastructure development for investments and job opportunities.
Addressing graduates of the Banking Institute of Liberia over the weekend, Minister Ngafuan assured Liberians of job opportunities.
He noted that even though some of the graduates have jobs and others don’t, eventually, all of them will have jobs based on what the government is doing.
‘’So, when you hear development plan, putting together energy compass, it’s the development plan of a strong foundation for the superstructure being laid,” said Minister Ngafuan.
He added that now is the time to act and the government has started to act now.
“When we put out a plan, ask how it fits you. And one of the majors is that you need a job,” continued.
According to Minister Ngafuan, one of the major problems to Liberia’s development and investment is electricity or power, citing it as the highest cause of business.
For the economy to expand, Ngafuan suggested the need to reduce that burden.
“Now, only 33% of Liberians have access to electricity,’’ Minister Ngafuan stated.
He disclosed that in the government’s ARREST development plan over five years, they intend to mobilize about US$ 2.1 billion from international partners to increase electricity access to 75% or above to help businesses expand.
‘’I want us to be a little positive about our country. I go around other countries; they don’t do better than us,” said Ngafuan.
Generally, he observed, they are more positive about their country.
“We know if we sit and our eyes are trained on finding and escalating the bad, we will get too many bad things to talk about,” the Finance Minister argued.
However, he stated that if your eyes focus on the good, you will get good things to talk about.
“One of the good things that is happening in Liberia is the graduation of those professionals because it’s good news for the country.”
He noted the government’s commitment to providing job opportunities across the country.
Minister Ngafuan assured that they will be working to address road infrastructure challenges across the country and other issues.
Ngafuan noted that it’s their vision that people can drive from Monrovia to Cape Palmas in Maryland County on asphalt pavement.
‘’It will happen and not at a too long distance from now. We are working to ensure that. Watch that and see.”
Minister Ngafuan urged the graduates to uphold integrity, describing it as a virtue that takes anyone beyond.
He added that it takes integrity and courage to see millions when you are hungry and don’t even have rental fees.
