Liberian Fishery Sector Will Soon See A High Tide

Japan government has approved funds worth USD 1.5 Mn that will be used to finance several projects aimed at improving livelihoods of Liberians.

The money will channelled to developing projects that will create jobs for the youth, enhance processes in agriculture and further improve the Maritime and Fishery Sectors of Liberia.

Ambassador Koro Bessho, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations revealed that the Japan-sponsored programs will be managed by United Nations Agencies in Liberia; United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

According to a dispatch from the Permanent Mission of Liberia to the United Nations, the following programs will each receive USD 500K each: ‘Promotion of Social Stability by creating jobs and livelihoods for vulnerable people and communities,’‘Support to the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries’ (VGSS) and ‘Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea’; and Integrated Sustainable Rice System Development.

He made the revelations recently when he paid Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations a courtesy call.

‘Promotion of Social Stability by creating jobs and livelihoods for vulnerable people and communities’ project will focus on youths in Nimba County. According to a UN report, young people account for about 65 percent of Liberia’s population of 4.1 million, and youth unemployment is estimated as high as 85 percent.

Japan government has on numerous occasions offered humanitarian assistance to Liberia. One notable instance is when there was Ebola crisis in 2014. Japan’s government dispatched an assortment of medical equipment that was valued at USD 288K to aid Liberia in its fight against the deadly Ebola virus.The country has also funded several infrastructural work in Rwanda.

The numerous aids and Japan-funded Liberian projects have been seen as an attempt by the Japan government to strengthen the cooperative relationship between Japan and Liberia in an effort to elevate Japan-Liberia bilateral relations.

Featured Image Courtesy: IntraFish