Monrovia – Liberian president George Weah has vowed to implement his administration’s long awaited Pro-Poor Agenda for Development and Prosperity (PADP), launched last Saturday, in Ganta City, Nimba County.
Although Weah and his political institution the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) told electorate that if elected, they would run the affairs of the country with their government anchored on a pro-poor manifesto, amid incessant criticisms, Liberians had to wait for close to a year to see the blueprint of the PADP.
Howbeit, following the belated launch of the policy document, President Weah says he will translate words into substantive tangibles, assuring that his preoccupation would be to deliver every promise encapsulated into the PADP that is considered as the administration’s master development plan.
With the country enjoying uninterrupted peace and stability, Weah says his government would achieve the implementation of every line in the Pro-Poor Agenda for Development and Prosperity (PADP), according to a statement released by the Executive Mansion on Monday.
The statement quoting the Liberian leader when he spoke at the weekend-launch of the PADP said President Weah was presenting to the Liberian public and development partners the Government’s five-year national development plan with strong feeling of optimism that it would be realized to the fullest as articulated.
“It is therefore with understandable pride, and a strong feeling of optimism, that I present to you today, the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) as the National Development Plan of the Government of Liberia for the next five years, July 2018 to June 2023,” the President said amid thunderous applause from the audience in and around the United Methodist Church Gymnasium in Ganta, Nimba County, the venue of the PADP launching ceremonies.
President Weah stressed that his government has the sacred duty to ensure that every line of the PADP document is fully implemented, stressing the significance of Liberians coming together in peace and harmony, which he said is the only surest way toward realizing the development so desired.
Though the PADP was unveiled just last Saturday, the President told the assembly of Liberians and foreign partners at the Ganta program that the government had already begun delivering on some key deliverables outlined in the five-year plan.
“On the back of that Platform,” the President noted, “we were swept into Office by a vast majority of Liberians who voted for Change for Hope, and who saw in us the ambition and determination to make positive changes in their prospects for prosperity.”
In line with the party’s vision and government’s commitment to lead Liberia into prosperity, President Weah said extensive consultations was held with all stakeholders, including international development and financial partners and the private sector.
According the President, the consultations were intended to ensure that the stakeholders had not only the opportunity to see clearly government’s development goals and priorities, as they venture to make loans, grants, and give technical assistance, but also to avoid wasteful overlap and competition by coordinating their respective programs.
The PADP, President Weah stressed, has been designed to give power to the people, promote economic diversification, protect sustainable peace, and encourage good governance.
He said further: “Liberia cannot be developed without good quality infrastructure, and a skillful labor force. Therefore, over the next five years, my Government will invest in high-quality infrastructures, including roads, affordable energy, and air and sea ports.
“Investments will also be made in telecommunication and ICT, housing, water, and sanitation. More importantly, we will invest in our people, particularly into their education, health, and in ending their widespread vulnerability.”
President Weah intimated that when he was elected by the Coalition for Democratic Change as its standard-bearer to contest the presidency, Liberians entertained dreams and vision formed the basis of the party’s platform, a people-centered, pro-poor manifesto that promised to deliver the transformation that most Liberians had yearned for in vain over so many years.
In keeping with the PADP, the President said the government would also place emphasis on national security in order to enable Liberians move and live freely without fear, to fill in the gap created by the withdrawal of the United Nations Peace-keeping Mission (UNMIL) in Liberia.
He stressed, “We are now in charge of our own security. We will therefore invest in security to maintain the peace”.
He also declared that the effectiveness of this PAPD will be determined by the capacity to implement the plans contained therein effectively and sustainably, adding, “In order to do so, is for the government to explore every avenue available to seek the financial support that will enable government achieve its pro-poor goals.”
“Over the next five years, we will develop our country, unite and reconcile our people, educate and develop our youths, and promote peace and human rights. We will build a harmonious society, based on the goal of economic empowerment, especially for the underprivileged”
President Weah urged the people of Liberia to ensure that government’s pro poor agenda is achieved by contributing to the forward movement of the country.
He urged Liberians to buy into the PADP and take ownership of it, so that Liberia will become the Sweet Land of Liberty that we deserve, by God’s command
