Monrovia, Liberia – Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, has urged all Liberians to work together for the nation’s progress during the visit of a high-level Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) team.
The technical working visit by MCC Program Officer for Africa, Ilana Shapiro, and MCC Managing Director for Africa, Jason Small, is concentrating on the creation of a Millennium Challenge Corporation office in Liberia, personnel recruiting procedures, and a diagnostic research on the compact’s modalities.
Speaking during the delegation’s courtesy call on Monday, Minister Ngafuan urged Liberians to unite for the common good and underlined that progress must cut across socioeconomic and political divisions. “We call on our people to unite for development. The MCC brings all of us together, no matter your political party or religious connection – that’s why we say Liberia wins.”
Minister Ngafuan reflected on the beneficial effects of the first MCC Compact, highlighting concrete advantages including better water distribution through the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation and more access to energy from the Mount Coffee Hydro Dam.
“Everyone who has access to the water and energy produced by the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation and the Mount Coffee Hydro Dam benefits from the MCC compact first face. Anyone can get benefits without presenting a political party ID card.”
Minister Ngafuan also praised the important roles played by technicians and government officials from the past and present in securing Liberia’s collaboration with the MCC. Hon. Ngafuan underlined how crucial it is to put the needs of the Liberian people first in order to guarantee that development proceeds irrespective of the political cycle. “Politicians win elections every six years, but the Liberian people must win each and every year.”
“When public servants, businesspeople, and others meet the expectations of their constituents, we win. Our people need roads, more electricity, healthcare, and education – that’s how they win.”
In order to direct the distribution of MCC funds to vital development sectors, he gave the delegation and Liberians his word that work is now being done on a constraint analysis.
Minister Ngafuan reiterated Liberia’s dedication to collaborating closely with the MCC in order to guarantee that Compact II benefits the country in the long run.
Jason Small, the Head of the Delegation and MCC Managing Director for Africa, recently visited Liberia and conveyed his excitement and dedication to furthering the country’s Compact II preparations.
Speaking directly to the significance of the MCC-Liberia collaboration, Small emphasized the two countries’ shared commitment to enhancing the quality of life for the Liberian people.
Small said, “I know you and your team are very anxious to get moving on the compact, and that’s why we’re here,” highlighting the MCC’s willingness to work closely with the Liberian government to advance the compact process.
Furthermore, Small emphasized the MCC Compact’s long-term effects by saying, “We will talk on the long road ahead, close it together, and develop a compact that will transform the lives of the people of Liberia.”
Speaking earlier, US Ambassador to Liberia Mark Toner emphasized the value of the collaboration between the U.S. government, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and Liberia while expressing strong support for the continuing preparations for Liberia’s MCC Compact II.
The Ambassador said, “This is a real win for Liberia, and we are so pleased that the MCC Delegation can come to network with the government of Liberia,” highlighting the importance of developing strong bilateral collaboration in furthering Liberia’s development objectives.
