PRESIDENT WEAH, DURING his fourth State-of-the-Nation Address to the 54th National Legislature, did a semi-evaluation on his administration’s achievements and shortcomings during his first three years in office.
“JUST THREE DAYS ago, January 22, 2020, was the third anniversary of my inauguration as President of Liberia for a six-year term. This is, therefore, the mid-term of my tenure, and it is timely that we review our progress and achievements made thus far, and re-calibrate where necessary, to ensure that we achieve the goals of our national development plan, the ‘Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development’, which is based on the platform upon which you elected me to this high office,” President Weah observed.
PRESIDENT WEAH WAS emphatically clear that considerable work has been made in terms of road connectivity, “as road connectivity continues to be my flagship program, which is intended to serve as a major catalyst for national development”.
THE PRESIDENT HOWEVER said that there is a need for a renewed focus on agriculture, as his government is determined to ensure that Liberia has a vibrant agriculture sector to ensure food security and sustainable development. He emphasized that the agriculture sector will receive his personal attention and the fullest support from the government.
“EVERYONE MUST GO back to the soil, in order to utilize agriculture as a vital tool for the revitalization of the economy. We have the land, we have the labor, and we have the climate. So let us go back to the soil to grow what we eat, and eat what we grow, so that we can reduce our dependence on food imports, create jobs, and increase food security,” President Weah emphasized.
THE PRESIDENT RECOUNTED the free-tuition at public schools, which has doubled the enrollment of the University of Liberia from about 8,000 to 18,000 students. He mentioned the payment of 12th graders’ WASSCE fees which, he said, has reduced the financial burden on parents and brought signification impact on the improvement of the learning environment.
IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS and foreign policy, he noted that his administration has maintained strong ties with the nation’s traditional allies, and has initiated bilateral friendship with a number of western nations, to the benefit of Liberia and its citizenry.
THE 24TH PRESIDENT delved into boosting the energy sector, one of the major areas of the development of the economy. According to the President, the sector is picking up gradually, as his government has been pro-active in the early realization of the TRANSCO CLSG transmission lines from the Ivory Coast, which will make available an additional 225 kilovolts of electricity to augment the supply from the Mount Coffee hydroelectric plant.