The Informer (Monrovia)
29 September 2009
The Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) will today, September 25, 2009, sponsor a one-day seminar on the Draft Final Report of the Master Plan Study on Urban Facilities Restoration and Improvement in Monrovia.
The study is jointly being undertaken by the Japanese and Liberian Governments in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs, Ministry of Land, Mines and Energy, Monrovia City Corporation, The Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation and Other Stakeholders.
The Master Plan study consists of major factors to Monrovia urban facilities restoration, urban development, land use, road and transport, ground water development and water supply, and storm water drainage.
The Seminar will be held in the "Conference Room" of Cape Hotel located at Mamba Point, information reaching The Informer states.
Discussions on the possible expansion of the Somalia Drive, linking Freeport to Red Light, are currently ongoing between the Government of Liberia and the Japanese Government, the Public Works Ministry stated recently.
The ongoing talks also take into consideration extension of the Johnson Street (Old) Bridge, all aimed at curtailing the issue of traffic congestions in Monrovia and its environs.
Presentation at today's seminar are expected on the future vision of urban development and restoration plans for the sectors, as well as proposed projects of the master plan.
The developing of master plan can be attributed to the situation that the urban functions are being hindered by chronic traffic congestion, low operating rates of water supply and sewerage facilities and reduced drainage facilities among others.
Since the damage due to the civil war was large and the population growth after the civil conflict is rapid, urban functions still remain insufficient.
The Government of Liberia submitted a request for the study to the Government of Japan in November 2007. After conducting a preliminary study in June 2008, the Master Plan study was started by JICA in November 2008.
JICA is the government agency responsible for undertaking the Japanese bilateral assistance and opened its field office in January 2009 to enhance its activity in Liberia.
Besides the Master Plan study, JICA has rehabilitated the Liberia-Japan Friendship maternity Hospital in the JFK Hospital in Sinkor.
Also, more than 40 Liberians have participated in JICA's training program taking place in Japan and other countries since 2007, in order to contribute to enhance their knowledge and skills.
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