Liberia: SONA of Trials & Progress

-President Joseph N. Boakai Monday performed his constitution role of providing the affairs of state - his administration's agenda for the ensuing years as enshrined in Article 58 of the Liberian Constitution - to the national legislature.

Article 58 provided the president the opportunity on every fourth working Monday of January of each year to deliver an annual message outlining the legislative agenda, report on the state of the economy, and the general affairs of the Republic.

Yesterday's SONA clearly detailed what has been realized as per the government's agenda, what is being planned for implementation and what is being considered for action in the months to come.

In the address delivered outside the walls of the Capitol Building, the same venue of his January 2024 inauguration because of the conflagration of the Joint Chambers of the Capitol Building last year, President Boakai reflected and pinpointed progress made thus far as well challenges threatening national growth potential.

However, in order to overcome what he considered as cleavages or trials and challenges, he recognized that national coexistence - every Liberian regardless of political interest coming together - is an inevitable solution.

President Boakai recalled that the mandate given him by the Liberian people a year ago, was to steer the nation toward progress and development.

He however recounted how Liberia's challenges stem from the state of its institutions, and its crisis is fundamentally a crisis of governance.

He also said it is impossible to speak about the state of the Republic only in terms of the material conditions of the people or the so-called "bread and butter" issues.

President Boakai maintained that it is high time Liberians went beyond policy to address the deeper social and political dynamics that affect us, what he calls the "undercurrent issues that run deep in our society, including addressing historical social cleavages that tend to divide us and create tensions."

"We are one people with a common destiny as a nation, and therefore old cleavages based on political, economic, social, and cultural lines, and other stereotypes are adversarial to the values of an equitable society," the President said in this year's SONA.

He said it was inconceivable for Liberians to allow divisions based on religion, social status, literacy and illiteracy, gender, and politics to divide them and determine how they live as a people.

President Boakai used the SONA dais to extend an olive branch of reconciliation and unity to political opponents or the opposition community to foster a government of inclusion.

He said "In this regard, I call on our friends on the other side of the political divide, including the opposition parties to join us in fostering a government of inclusion."

"Our democracy should not be defined by elections where the winner is perceived to have taken all," he emphasized, and added "Instead, our path should not be about the next election but the next generation."

President Boakai urgehed Liberians to embrace genuine unity and reconciliation.

Meanwhile, the Liberian has announced that that despite the challenges his administration inherited, they have made meaningful progress in key sectors.

Focus on Agriculture

In spite of the challenges faced with national unity and reconciliation, the President provided an encouraging outlook of events unfolding in the agriculture sector, talking about how the country's immense potential for large-scale agriculture will create jobs, feed our people, and strengthen the economy.

He however, acknowledged that the agriculture sector as vital as it is has not received the attention it deserves.

He informed the nation that his administration over the past year has taken significant steps to advance agriculture and enhance self-sufficiency.

"To help reduce our reliance on rice imports, we cultivated over 4,000 hectares of rice. This year, we aim to double our efforts by cultivating an additional 6,000 hectares," he reported as significant progress.

He also announced to the nation that his government is constructing five mechanization centers in Bong, Lofa, Margibi, Montserrado, and Nimba counties to enable farmers to access essential machinery for improved production.

He added that progress is underway in mechanizing cassava cultivation, aimed at both consumption and starch export.

The Liberian leader in his SONA, reported that the government has directed substantial support towards cocoa and oil palm production, resulting in over 10,000 hectares of cocoa cultivation and investments in palm oil agribusiness.

He also reported the government is also in the process of establishing a palm and vegetable oil refinery to meet the demands of commercial production.

"My Administration has increased the agricultural budget by over 200% compared to previous years. Our national agriculture plan highlights the value chain, with dedicated funding to enhance agribusiness and create jobs," he said.

He also said that to combat food insecurity and support vulnerable populations, his government has launched what he called "Comprehensive Food Security and Nutrition Survey" intended to assess food security in communities.

According to President Boakai, his administration has successfully hosted a National Agriculture Fair in Kakata, Margibi County, which will now be reactivated as an annual event, with the next one scheduled in Nimba County in 2025.

This, he said, is aimed at fostering innovation and growth in the agricultural sector.

Road infrastructure

Another progress highlighted in the President SONA is road infrastructure which he said is essential for convenient travel, access to services, and boosting commerce.

President Boakai said the poor state of Liberia's roads has long contributed to rural neglect and stunted our development, and added that is unacceptable that, out of 13,000 kilometers of the proposed road network, only 1,600 kilometers are paved.

The President recognized that improving road connectivity is a cornerstone of our development agenda.

He highlighted the controversial roads reconditioning exercise his administration embarked upon in its infant stage, saying that "we delivered on our promise to recondition and maintain major road corridors within the first 100 days."

"We have continued to maintain 783 kilometers of major roads nationwide, making key routes such as Brewerville to Bopolu, Voinjama to Foya, Foya to Mendikorma, and Zwedru to Kanweaken passable, resulting in reduced commodity prices," he added.

The Liberian leader delved into ongoing developments on the RIA road expansion project initiated by the former government of President George Weah.

According to him, his government has expanded the RIA Road Project from 8 to 20 kilometers of paved roadway, while he said the Sanniquellie to Logatuo Road Project is now 85% complete, with 42 kilometers paved, while the Saclepea to Tappita Road Project has reached 50% completion.

President Boakai said with financing from the World Bank's Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), the government completed the biodiversity study on the Tappita to Zwedru corridor, including Toe Town to Zwedru.

"We have also secured financing and finalized designs for key corridors including Zwedru to John Davies Town, Putuken to Kelipo, and Barclayville to Sasstown to Klowne," he said.

At the same time, President disclosed that the government will pave the Medina to Robertsport road beginning March of this year.

He also said they have expanded public spaces by creating alleys, clearing drainage ditches, and installing solar streetlights to enhance safety and vibrancy in Monrovia.

The economy

Reporting on the state of the economy, President Boakai said his Government has worked tirelessly to rebuild trust with international financial institutions and the donor community.

He announced how his government secured a US $210 million financing package from the IMF's Extended Credit Facility (ECF) to address macroeconomic imbalances and improve debt sustainability from 2024 to 2027.

According to him=, "Our inclusion in the ECF has unlocked support from both multilateral and bilateral partners. The World Bank provided $60 million in support, US$40 million of which was budget support and the balance of US$20 million went to a Special Disaster Fund for Liberia to be administered by Liberia."

The Liberian leader recounted also how the World Bank has pledged $40 million in budget support for this year and 2026.

He said: "We secured a $60 million grant from the European Union for 2025-2027, while the African Development Bank provided $40 million for road projects. During the period under review, Liberia also received $398.2 million in off-budget Official Development Assistance for critical sectors such as health, agriculture, and infrastructure."

The Liberian chief exexutive reported also that his government's bilateral relations have secured a commitment from the Government of the United States for Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact eligibility.

He stated that the development is a significant achievement as it potentially exposes Liberia to substantial financial support in its development when completed in a couple of years.

"This milestone reflects confidence in the steps we are taking as a nation, particularly in promoting transparency, making sound economic decisions, and strengthening governance," he said.

But political pundits expressed disappointment that the president did not acknowledge the enormous contribution of the past administration in his administration attaining the MCC compact.

The George Weah government was instrumental in the realization of the milestone as it passed eleven of the benchmarks set by the MCC for compact eligibility.

New agenda

Meanwhile, President Boakai has announced that he would propose new action plans, including an action plan to address the state of our national unity, a review of our Constitution to address shortcomings in our Organic Law as well as comprehensive electoral reforms to strengthen our electoral process and democratic credentials.

The Liberian leader also announced that he would initiate plans for the proper burial of former presidents William R. Tolbert and Samuel K. Doe, including a proposed plan to recognize ECOWAS for their vital contributions to maintaining peace and stability during crucial times in Liberia's history.

Most importantly, he said he would convene a National Conference on Post-War Infrastructure to address the rebuilding and development of our post-war infrastructure.

According to him, there is time for Liberians to continue to stand united as we move forward, hand in hand, toward a prosperous and inclusive future for our nation.

He claimed that the nation is better than when we began under his watch, adding "Our progress in twelve productive months is just the beginning, and prospects are encouraging."

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