Liberia to Construct, US$29.5 Million, two Overhead Bridges
By Abdul Rahman Suagibu –
NEW AFRICA BUSINESS NEWS, Freetown, Sierra Leone- In order to slacken vehicular traffic around New Ministerial Complex –SKD Boulevard, the Government of the People’s Republic of China has made a solemn promise to the Liberia Government and its five year strategic plan, the Pro-poor Agenda for prosperity and Development (PAPD), with the Chinese government releasing onto its Liberian counterpart an initial grant of approximately US $29.5, for the implementation of several projects including two overhead bridges to give respite to vehicular traffic within the surroundings of the new ministerial complex and the SKD Boulevard and it environs.
Minister Wang Yi said China is committed to the concept of sincerity, real results and the value of friendship and shamed interests all geared towards win-win cooperation. He emphasized that, China’s cooperation with Africa is sincere; noting that; they have always followed the principle of non –interference in the internet affairs of other countries engaged Africa under the framework of South-South cooperation.
According to a dispatch from Liberia’s Embassy near Beijing, China re-echoed its commitment when foreign Minister Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, held bilateral discussions with his Chinese counterpart; State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on the periphery of the Coordinators Meeting on the implementation of the follow-up Actions of the Beijing Summit of the forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing recently.
In order to further rejuvenate cooperation, the two countries signed an agreement in which China provided a “gratuitous assistance” of two hundred million Chinese Yuan (Yan 200,000,000), approximately us$ 29.5 million to Liberia as the first tranche for the implementation of projects agreed to during the bilateral meeting between Chinese Preside Xi Jinping and President George Weah during the latter’s visit to Beijing for the FOCAC Summit in September 2018.
The first tranche has been transferred into a joint account at China Development Bank to be administered by both governments for the implementation of these projects including two overhead bridges to ease vehicular traffic around the new ministerial complex and the SKD Boulevard, respectively; the provision of food aid to be monetized and used for development purposes; among others.
The Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councilor promised to increase cooperation and to solidify the exceptional friendly ties existing between China and Liberia.
Minister Findley emphasized Liberia’s preparedness to work with China in promoting the objectives of FOCAC. He expressed thanks to China’s deep interest in building strong ties with Africa particularly Liberia; noting that in April both countries concluded a memorandum of understanding at which time Liberia formally joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Minister of State Nathaniel Mc Gill signed the MOU on behalf of Government when he attended the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing.
The coordinators’ Meeting’ which brought together ministerial officials from 53 African countries and their Chinese counterparts, discussed the implementation of the 2018 FOCAC agenda on trade, security and development. At last September’s FOCAC Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping committed US$60 billion in a mix of grants, loans and special funds to African countries. He also encouraged Chinese companies to make at least US$10 billion investment in Africa through 2021
For New Africa Business News Abdul Rahman Suagibu Reports, Africa Correspondent
Facebook: newafricabusinessnews.com
Email: Info@newafricabusinessnews.com
AFRICA’S MOST READ AND FASTEST GROWING GLOBAL NEWSPAPER – www.newafricabusinessnews.com