Achieved Or Not? …As Pres. Boakai Reports to Employers On 100 Days of Deliverables

As the Government of Liberia(GoL) under the stewardship of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai considered addressing urgent needs by intervening in critical sectors with the interventions implemented by the various ministries, agencies, and commissions (MACs), the Liberian leader has reported back to his employers (Liberians) on the expiration of the 100 Days.

On the need to ensure accountability in the public sector as a major objective underpinning service delivery in the first 100 days, he asserted that government took steps including strengthening financial oversight, and promoting ethical practices across all sectors to combat corruption, was seen as a critical step to removing barriers.

On the issue of poor roads and infrastructure, he said government has been focused on the maintenance of major road corridors, improving sanitation service, providing critical meteorological equipment, and upgrading ICT systems at the only international airport in the country was considered a major attempt at bringing relief to citizens.

“Third, wrestling two fundamental issues consequential to the future of our country in terms of expanding educational opportunities and combatting the drug and substance abuse scourge was an important objective to bolster this plan. My government, therefore, saw under this plan the need to support education for struggling students and implement interventions to rescue at-risk youth overtaken by the drug epidemic.”

The President reported that policy changes aimed at improving economic development were a fundamental objective of this plan, stressing that in this quarter, and as such, initial reforms and capacity building in agriculture, tourism, and commerce were seen as building blocks for our long-term economic development.

‘‘Pivotal to our 100 Days of Deliverables plan  was the need to introduce key legislations crucial to the governance process, and to the promotion of the potential growth-spurring tourism sector.’’

Predicated on this, the Liberian chief executive explained that in these past 100 days, despite limited resources, his government was able to make significant gains against interventions we set out in various sectors.

He also indicated that major steps to boost agriculture as a cornerstone of of the country’s economic development were taken.

“Among other measures taken, we have completed a national agriculture development plan, which will be ready for validation in the next two weeks.”

“In addition, a critical intervention to ensure we achieve our goal of reducing rice importation by 70% started this quarter with the acquisition and cultivation of 2000 hectares of land in Bong, Lofa, and Nimba Counties. To date, the Ministry of Agriculture has begun the cultivation of 1000 hectares of lowland at Fuamah Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Bong Mines.”

“In addition, the government has launched and started the cultivation of the University of Liberia farms in Fendall, which is aimed at feeding students, generating income, and for practical training and research.”

President Boakai also reported to Liberians that government’s efforts to intervene in healthcare have not only aimed to provide essential medications and increase access to quality healthcare but also to gradually restore the confidence of people and development partners in a healthcare system plagued by years of corruption and poor service.

“To this end, we are pleased to report that in keeping with our intervention to sustain the availability of essential medicines and medical supplies with reduction of stock-outs, the government has ensured that essential medicines and medical supplies are distributed to 100% of drug depots of 13 counties in the country, with Last mile distributions to Montserrado and Margibi Counties having been achieved 100%. To improve diagnostic capacities at health centers to address critical illnesses, the government has identified sites to build four regional diagnostic centers in the country soon.”

The President also reported on interventions made in other areas such as sanitation, public administration and education among others.