Liberia and Japan Sign USD4.2M Non-Project Grant Aid

The Governments of the Republic of Liberia and Japan have signed a Non-Project Grant Aid valued at 4.2 Million United States Dollars for economic and social development at a ceremony held on Monday, May 18, 2015 in the conference room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Acting Foreign Minister Hon. B. Elias Shoniyin signed on behalf of the Government of Liberia while Ambassador Kaoru Yoshimura signed on behalf of the Japanese Government.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Acting Foreign Minister Hon. B. Elias Shoniyin noted that Japan has extended not only to Liberia but to the entire African Region significant development assistance under the JICA arrangement. Minister Shoniyin said under the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) arrangement Liberia and Japan set the agenda of engagements for five years period one of which is manifested in the Non-Project Grant Aid.

“Beyond that Japan -Liberia relationship has seen significant intervention in the Liberia society in term of provisions of different forms of social services, within the context of Liberia’s agenda for transformation and vision 2030 national program”, stated Minister Shoniyin.

The Acting Foreign Minister recounted some of the Japanese funded projects in Liberia, including the three bridges in Grand Cape Mount, paddy rice project being implemented by the Ministry of  Agriculture, and Japan- Liberia Maternity Center at John F. Kennedy Hospital. 

Minister Shoniyin seized the occasion to request the Japanese Government to consider the return of contractors to resume construction of the 10 Megawatt Energy Plant for the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC). 

Also speaking at the signing ceremony, Japanese Ambassador accredited to Liberia H.E. Karoru Yoshimura emphasized that the Non-Project Grant Aid, will be of great help in boosting social development in Liberia. Under the Aid, the government of Liberia will receive products, for instance petroleum products which directly contribute to the recovery of social economic situation in Liberia.

In addition to that, through monetization of the petroleum products, the Government of Liberia will be able to support additional development projects, stressed Ambassador Yoshimura. He furthered that the Government of Liberia has already executed several social development projects by utilizing the proceeds of previous Aid including the program for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the ELWA Zoning Project and the Construction of three (3) bridges in Grand Cape Mount County.

According to Ambassador Yoshimura, the Non-Project Grant Aid by the Government of Japan has been provided to only eight countries throughout the world in the last fiscal year 2012-2015. He elaborated that the Government of Japan is determined to provide this aid to Liberia based on the belief that the aid will be able to contribute to the improvement of the socio-economic situation in Liberia. 

The Japanese Ambassador highlighted that the Government of Japan selected Liberia because the Liberian Government has established the Monitoring and Evaluation Units for the Counterpart fund and has good track records to carry out valuable counterpart fund projects for social and economic development.

Ambassador Yoshimura was delighted that the Non-Project Grant Aid is being granted at a time when Liberia has successfully overcome the plague of the Ebola Virus Disease and is taking steps to recover from the socio-economic damages ebola left behind.

The Minister of Commerce and Industry Axel Addy said the signing of the agreement between both countries reveals the strength of the partnership. Minister Addy stated that the Government of Japan stood beside Liberia during the Ebola crisis and is now standing with Liberia in the Ebola recovery era. The Commerce Minister mentioned that Liberia recently held bilateral negotiation with Japan at the World Trade Organization.

Hon. Addy furthered that Japan has proven to be a lifelong partner that is committed to see Liberia transform and see the citizens of Liberia benefit from the investments made from the Japanese Government.

Meanwhile, the Japan International Corporation Agency resumes work officially next month in Liberia. Japanese contractors working on the Somalia Drive and the 10 mega watt energy station  are also expected to resume work at a ceremony to be held in June at the Ministry of Public Works where JICA has its offices.