The NEWS (Monrovia)
Jimmey C. Fahngon
13 March 2008
Monrovia — President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Tuesday broke ground for the construction of a four-star hotel at the Kendeja National Cultural Center, outside Monrovia.
President Johnson-Sirleaf said the construction of the hotel would create more jobs for residents of the area.
She stated that the construction of the hotel at Kendeja Cultural Center would not take away the country's cultural heritage because a new home for the Cultural Center would be built as soon as possible.
She called on residents of the area to support the construction of the hotel.
"This is in your own interest so I asked that you cooperate with the people," The President added.
For her part, the Executive Vice President of the Robert L. Johnson Group, Ms. Lisa Pickrun said the hotel would help to boost the Liberian economy.
The Robert L. Johnson Group is undertaking the construction of the hotel.
Ms. Pickrun disclosed that over US$10 million would be used to construct the hotel which would consist of 80 bedrooms, a conference center among other facilities.
She said during the construction of the hotel, 300 direct jobs would be created as well as 100 indirect jobs.
The hotel, she said would be ready by March 2009 and would host the International Women Conference which is expected to be held in Liberia next year.
Ms. Pickrun pointed out that Robert L. Johnson Group operates over US$4 billion assets world wide.
"We are a group that believes in action and we would transform this place," she assured.
Earlier, Information Minister Laurence K. Bropleh said the government decided to lease the land to the Robert L. Johnson Group because it was being encroached upon thereby making it difficult to host the National Cultural Center.
He disclosed that the government has secured 50 acres of land near the Edward B. Kesselly Barracks for the construction of a new cultural center.
He said construction work at the new site will begin shortly.
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