By Nyantee G. Togba
www.nyangteetogba@gmail.com
Monrovia-Public Works Minister Maputu Nyenpan has emphasized the need for the National Legislature to ratify the 536 million United States Dollars loan financing agreement between the Eton Financing PTE Limited and the Liberian Government.
President George Weah recently submitted to the national Legislature for the ratification of the financing loan agreement intended to pave the southeastern roads, Gbarpolu and Grand Cape Mount roads, respectively.
Commenting on the importance of the loan agreement before the National Legislature in a public hearing Monday, Minister Nyenpan said the country is challenged with good roads, a reason he wants the loan ratified.
He noted that the country has about eleven thousand kilometers of road network with 94% being unpaved.
During the hearing, which was addressed by a representative of the civil society of Liberia and senior government officials in focal positions, all urged the members of the legislative joint committees to do the ratification.
He however mentioned that such loan when ratified will alleviate the huge transportation constraints faced by Liberians when commuting their products to other nearby counties.
“We cannot build our country by relying on handouts or by thinking small. As Liberians and as a government, which got elected on an ‘agenda of change,’ we cannot continue to do ‘business as usual.’ Our people have hopelessly waited for far too long.
“There must be a paradigm shift. President Weah has therefore made roads connectivity as the first and foremost priority of his administration as a means of actualizing the pro-poor agenda. I urge you to support the President in this lofty endeavor,” Minister Nyenpan said.
Dr. Lester Tenny, who represented the CSOs told the lawmakers to ignore the hard questions about the loan givers and focus on the impact of the loan.
Also Speaking Justice Minister Musa Dean said the loan agreement entered into between the Eton Financing PTE limited and the Liberian Government met all legal requirements as contained in the constitution of Liberia as well as the host of international protocol.
“Some people say the people don’t have website; will the money be sent through the web?” Cllr. Dean asked rhetorically.
He further stated that as the legal person of the government, he has read the loan financing agreement, and “Its benefits surpass petty consolidation.”
“If you enact this agreement, it becomes law that will impact our economy. The agreement does not impose any particular company. The Ministry of Public Works will do the vetting,” he added.
