ECOWAS To Host Parliamentary Session In Liberia

-Presents US$100m Loan To Liberia

For the first time in Liberia members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament will host its Parliamentary session and seminar in Africa’s Oldest Republic.

The activities which are part of further strengthening of regional integration will begin from September 8-22, 2019 in Liberia.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the session, a member of the ECOWAS Parliament Edwin Snowe said he is excited for such key activities to be hosted in Liberia.

He told reporters that a delegation of over one hundred and seventy five members will be in Liberia to participate in series of activities under the canopy of ECOWAS Parliament.

The Bomi County Lawmaker who praised the Government of Liberia for support to the planning process noted that preparations leading to the hosting of the activities are well on course.

He commended the General Services Agency through its Director General Mary Broh and her team for putting in place all needed materials and other logistics to get the venue set for the programs.

The ceremonies first of its kind in Liberia will be graced by members of parliament from the region and will be held at the newly constructed Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Representative Snowe told reporters.

He called on members of the Civil Society Organizations including the media and key other sectors of Liberia to form a part of the program.

According to him, Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor will officially open the seminar on September 12, 2019; while President George Weah as former member of the ECOWAS parliament will officially open the session on September 16, 2019.

He said key and usual deliberations at the level of the ECOWAS parliament and the region will be high on the agenda for discussion including, regional trade and commerce, Agriculture, regional security and many others.

On the issue of the seminar, the ECOWAS Parliament member said Animal Transportation in the region as well as presentation from a Liberian representative from the Agriculture Ministry will be highlighted among many others.

As part of its mission to Liberia, he said the delegation will also visit the Central Bank of Liberia to do integrity check amidst plans and effort for a single currency transaction in the region which is said to be an ongoing discussion.

Moreover, he indicated that the delegation will also pay a visit to the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation of Liberia offices and will as well have a friendly match encounter with the Liberian Legislature as part of a social interaction.

Meanwhile, in a bid to further develop the Country, ECOWAS Bank for Development has presented a US$100m Loan to Liberia for the construction of the South Eastern Corridors road project.

The loan agreement according to Representative Snowe was reached after lengthy discussion with President George Weah and members of the ECOWAS parliament on Tuesday, August 27, 2019.

He disclosed that the loan will be paid by the Liberian government over a long period of time on a 2% interest rate.

He commended ECOWAS for always supporting meaningful ventures of Liberia.

The Bomi County Lawmaker said members of the national legislature will review the agreement for onward ratification to ensure the commencement of the strategic project in the South East.

Currently residents in the South Eastern region of Liberia are finding it difficult to move from one end to the other in the region due to the old age bad roads network but with this agreement and upon the full completion of the project, the story of deplorable roads in the South East will be of the past. Contributed by Julius Konton