World Bank President Robert Zoellick has responded positively to a call by Liberian President Ellen Johnson to hasten the implementation of World Bank projects in Liberia.

Mr. Zoellick said that he understands the challenges post-conflict countries, particularly Liberia, have to face in meeting the high expectations of the people. During a meeting in Addis Ababa with the Liberian leader, the World Bank President promised to urge officials overseeing World Bank projects in Liberia to act with urgency in putting in place measures that would shorten the bureaucratic hurdles delaying the implementation of projects.

The meeting between the World Bank President and the Liberian leader was held to review current projects in Liberia funded by the World Bank, with specific emphasis on road construction and rehabilitation, especially the Paynesville/Red-Light to Ganta and the Cotton Tree to Buchanan road projects. The Bank, the President has maintained, will exercise some level of flexibility in the application of its guidelines when dealing with post-conflict countries such as Liberia.

The World Bank President and the Liberian leader also reviewed progress on road connectivity between Liberia and other Mano River Union countries, and the possibility of considering a framework through which the Trans-African Highway project could be absorbed into other programs being supported by the Bank in the sub-region.

President Johnson Sirleaf and Mr. Zoellick also discussed other programs being supported by the Bank, including the Solid Waste Management Program, which the President hoped could be further strengthened to ensure that it meets its desired objective. The country's energy sector was also discussed, with an understanding that while efforts are being made to provide short-term solutions, all options must be explored for the rehabilitation of Liberia's Mount Coffee hydro power plant in White Plains.

The President spoke of the effects of the global economic downturn on Liberia and its impact on job creation, especially for the youth who need skills training in order to benefit from jobs being created as activities at concession companies begin to pick up. It was agreed that opportunities should be explored to provide more vocational training for Liberian youth to enable them to acquire the requisite skills for employment.

The World Bank President indicated that he would direct officials working on Bank projects in Liberia to review areas of concern raised by President Johnson Sirleaf with the view of accelerating the programs.