The government of Liberia and the World Bank has signed a financing agreement for the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries project worth US$40 Million dollars, aimed at improving fisheries management and enhancing livelihood and income for government and targeted beneficiaries.
Speaking during the official signing ceremony Tuesday the Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority Emma Glassco mentioned that the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries project will lead to the expansion of the Mesurado fishing pier which was constructed decades ago.
Madam Glassco disclosed during the ceremony that upon the completion of the Mesurado Pier into an industrial port, it would allow more than 77 industrial fishing vessels land their catches.
Additionally she emphasized that the gains to be reaped from this project remain immense ranging from the creation of job opportunities for the ordinary Liberian through the establishment of fish processing facilities, cold storages to the overwhelming increment in revenue generation by national government.
Also making remarks at the signing ceremony, World Bank Country Manager Dr. Khwima Nthara assured that the project will support the needed interventions across the whole value chain, such as investments in new alternative vessels and fishing gears for getting the fish from the sea; modern landing fishing harbor at the Mesurado pier in Monrovia.
Dr. Khwinma also added that under the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries project there would be the “construction of access roads, services and markets halls so that the fish is easily marketed”.
For his part, finance Minister Samuel Tweh declared that Liberian economy is moving towards the fisheries sector with the huge support of the World Bank financial support through the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries project.
Minister Tweh said the signing of the World Bank financing agreement will provide opportunities for Liberian fishermen as they stand to immensely benefit through the transformation of their livelihoods.
