Monrovia, Liberia -The President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, has hailed the government of Japan for its numerous interventions towards Liberia’s development and progress.

On Monday, October 18, 2021, the Liberian President participated in program marking thesymbolic turning over of nearly 600 Yamaha outboard motors donated to Liberia by the Government and People of Japan.

“On behalf of the Government and People of Liberia, and in my own name, I would like to sincerely thank the Government and People of Japan for their generosity, which is in direct support of our national development plan, the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development,” the President said during the program.

He recalled that theprovision of motorized canoes through a grant from the Japanese Grant Aid for Economic and Social Development Program is one of several projects Japan has undertaken in Liberia.

The Chief Executive noted that the Japanese donation will have a significant impact on more than 4,000 Liberians who were used to paddling canoes as a livelihood.

“This will be a game changer for our hardworking fishermen and fisherwomen, as it will enable them to be more competitive and more profitable, and thereby improve their standard of living,” Dr. Weah said further.

President Weah said the donation is one of the benefits Liberia accrues as a result of visit to Japan, and his participation in, the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) held in Yokohama City in August 2019.

The Liberian Leader recalled how he presented various avenues of possible bilateral cooperation that could enhance our economic development and directly assist the empowerment of Liberians through quick impact projects during his tete-a-tete with former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

President Weah hailed outgoing Japanese Ambassador to Liberia, Tsutomu Himeno, during whose tenure the initiative was started.

“This has only been possible because of your determination to see it completed, and your diligence and persistence in working with officials of your Government and their counterparts in Liberia,” the President emphasized.

Further referencing the outgoing Japanese Ambassador, President Weah said: “Another significant project that you brought to successful completion during your tenure was the Japan Highway project, formerly known as the Monrovia Freeway.  As a further extension of this project, you have also been actively involved in assisting the Liberian Government to negotiate support from your Government for the construction of the road corridor between the Freeport of Monrovia and the Gabriel Tucker Bridge.”

He said Ambassador Himeno’s stay in Liberia has been very productive in many ways, while at the same time wishing him every success in his future endeavors.

The Liberian President used the time to thank the Management and Staff of the Liberia Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFaa) for what he called “the leadership in their approach, planning, and successful execution of this very important project.”