President George Weah of Liberia has acknowledged the major role Nigeria had played to bring peace in his country, but said: “we need Nigeria’s help to jump-start our economy.”
President Weah, who visited President Muhammadu Buhari today, Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, his first foreign trip after his election late last year, acknowledged: “you played a major role in bringing peace to Liberia. You reformed our Army and today it is performing it duties to the highest professional standards.
“As we speak, they are serving in a peace-keeping mission in Mali. You have also built and expanded the capacities of Liberians in so many ways. For example, during our recent observance of Armed Forces Day in Liberia, we were informed that two of our military personnel will soon be graduating as pilots from one of your esteemed institutions.
“We would like to see a continuation and expansion of that program for both men and women.”
President Weah said that Liberians have voted for change and for hope, adding that change is finally here.
“But mere political change is meaningless without development, prosperity, and growth.
“The prices of our two basic export commodities, rubber and iron ore, continue to fall on the world diminished market our foreign exchange earnings from the export of these and other commodities are used mainly on the importation of food and other commodities, causing massive trade deficits; youth unemployment is at an all-time high, and prices of basic commodities continue to increase.”
He said that his administration’s Pro-Poor Development Agenda is intended to tackle the many economic and social problems which his government inherited, especially in addressing the large fiscal and infrastructure deficits.
President Weah talked about the urgent problem of youth unemployment, and the need to revive the education, agriculture, mining and health sectors.
He pleaded to his Nigerian counterpart that his sustained technical assistance for capacity building in these sectors is most welcome.
“For example, Nigerian teachers and medical volunteers to Liberia, under the Technical Assistance Corps TAC) Agreement with Liberia, have been very crucial in boosting capacity development in Liberia, and it is my hope that this assistance can be considerably increased to address with urgency our most pressing socio-economic needs at this time. More specifically, under the Bilateral Teacher Exchange program, we are seeking 6,000 plus teachers to make up for the shortage of good teachers in our educational system. n agriculture, we are seeking experts and extension workers to build capacity in the sector, particularly with crops, (such as cassava, for example,) which lend themselves readily to value- added propositions and export earning potential.”
Weah declared that Liberia is now opening business for the Nigerian private sector, adding that there is a need to address the current volume of trade between the two countries, which is very low and does not exceed million, by some estimates.
“Yet, the Liberian banking sector is dominated by Nigerian banks, and I am made to understand that their Head offices in Nigeria may be considering reducing their support or even shutting them down because of the recent downturn in our economy.
“If this is true, l urge them not to do so, as l am optimistic that trade and commerce will increase in the near future, There are also major shortcomings in the electricity and power sectors, in road construction, in housing, in mining, and in fisheries, to name a few, that could be of serious interest to Nigerian investors, either as individuals or companies, or through joint-ventures or public-private partnerships.
“We invite all of you to come to Liberia and explore the many new opportunities for investment that are bound to increase under this new political dispensation I promise you that you will find a Government that is not only business friendly, but ready to do business.
“On a personal note, President Buhari, it is my intention, with all due respect and affection, to frequently seek your wise counsel and advice as I embark upon this arduous task of nation building, reconstruction, and transformation of my country.
“Nigeria’s historical benevolence towards Liberia cannot be quantified And once again, we seek your urgent and critical assistance.” [myad]
