Liberia and Cote D’Ivoire sign bilateral cooperation agreement

The governments of Liberia and Cote D’Ivoire have signed a three-year bilateral cooperation agreement for the supply of petroleum products

Liberia’s Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., signed on behalf of the Liberian Government, while Mr. Thomas Camara, Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, of Cote D’Ivoire signed on behalf of his government

The move is intended to mitigate the shortage of petroleum products on the Liberian market.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Abidjan at the offices of the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy, Minister Kemayah explained the purpose of his visit which is to seek supply of petroleum products, particularly gasoline, diesel, and bitumen from neighboring Cote D’Ivoire.

He said securing such a supply will make the products affordable, accessible, and available at all times throughout the Liberian market.

Amb. Kemayan also used the occasion to pay tribute to the importers of petroleum products in Liberia, noting that the Bilateral Cooperation agreement signed between the Government of Liberia and the Government of Cote D’Ivoire will in no way put the importers out of business.

He explained that this bilateral cooperation agreement is a breakthrough for the government of Liberia to meet the bread and butter issue in the country, stating that a constant supply of petroleum products at an affordable price will further mitigate the prices of other commodities on the Liberian markets.

Minister Kemayah said the Bilateral Cooperation agreement is pursuant to the overarching desire and vision of His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah President of the Republic of Liberia to transform the lives of the Liberian people in line with the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD).

He was quick to point out to the gathering that the agreement met the full blessings of both Presidents of the Liberia and Cote D’Ivoire, His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia, and His Excellency Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Cote D’Ivoire, and the Prime Minister of Cote D’Ivoire, Mr. Patrick Achi.

For his part, Minister Camara used the occasion to introduce the major players on the Ivoirian side, who will directly interact with their Liberian counterparts in implementing this Bilateral Cooperation Agreement.

He opined that the bilateral cooperation agreement, which is signed for three years is renewable at the end of its expiration date, noting that Cote D’Ivoire is well prepared to honor their part of the agreement to supply petroleum products to Liberia.

The Ivorian minister commended the Liberian Foreign Minister for initiating this brilliant idea for the two sisterly countries to cooperate in this great venture that will mutually benefit the two peoples, noting that this will further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries in the sub-region.