Despite the increasing wave of constant destruction of many homes and properties by sea erosion in Liberia, specifically the residents of New Kru Town, Ministry of Mines and Energy disclosed the lack of funding to complete the coastal defense project in the area.
Speaking to our reporter on Wednesday, Assistant Mines and Energy Minister for Research, Development and Planning, Johnson S. Willabo, Jr., said the government has no money to complete the project in the borough, adding that money allotted through the Environmental Protection Agency for the previous 500 meters of the borough’s coastal line project had finished.
According to the Minister, the Liberian government, having met with its co-financing obligation, has already received money to continue the coastal defense project in Greenville City, Sinoe and West Point in Montserrado County, unlike the completion of the project in New Kru Town, which he said is remaining at least 2% to be completed.
Assistant Minister Willabo, who is also the focal point for the government’s coastal defense project across the country, further stressed that amid the growing wave of sea erosion disaster, thus leaving several citizens homeless in the country, the Ministry of Mines and Energy says the Coalition for Democratic Change led-government is currently working out modalities to source out funding for the completion of the New Kru Town.
He noted that he is not sure about the actual time for the project completion, but also expressed optimism that it will be done as soon as possible; something according to Minister Willabo, when funding is made available through national government and development partners will bring relief to ordinary citizens.
It can be recalled that recently, several citizens of the Borough of Kru Town reminded the government of Liberia for the total completion of the project, adding that the sea erosion situation had been destroying their homes and major properties over the years.
He further indicated that the government is currently exerting efforts to meet up with its co-financing obligation to ensure the project reaches 100%; something he said has to be done before the international partners can make available its own contribution to the project.
At the same time, Assistant Minister Willabo lauded Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel D. Tweah, Jr., and Montserrado County Electoral #16 Representative Dixon Wlawlee Seboe for their supports to the project and the residents of West Point and the Borough of Kru Town for their consistent patience in the wake of looming threats by the sea erosion. He noted that national government through the relevant authorities and in partnership with its international donors, is committed to solving major challenges faced by ordinary citizens across the country, adding that the CDC led-government is getting positive responses from the donors.
