MRU countries discuss 10 years strategic action plan in Monrovia
The Mano River Union member States are presently engaged in a three day validation strategic action plan discussion in Monrovia.
Over 20 participants from Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia early this week converged at the Monrovia City Hall for a three day validation discussion. In his opening remarks on Monday, MRU‘S Secretary General Ambassador Thierno Habib Diallo said his Organization Project reflects the vision of the four Heads of States of the MRU and their development partners. He said the MRU was established also in order to pursue their objectives among which he said are the expansion of trade by the elimination of all barriers to mutual trade by cooperation in the extension of International Trade, Creation of conditions favourable to an Expansion of mutual Productive Capacity, Progressive Development of a common Protective Policy and Cooperation in the creation of a new Productive Capacity with a fair distribution of the benefits from Economic Cooperation.
Ambassador Diallo also among many issues noted that in accordance with MRU’S objectives, a number of projects and initiatives were primarily undertaken, among these he stated were, liberalization of Mutual Trade and harmonization of rate of import , duties and other fiscal incentives applicable to goods of local origin, the establishment of institutions in order to build and strengthen capacity in the areas of Post and Telecommunications, Forestry , Customs and Excise Maritime as well as Training of nationals also in order to enhance Public Sector Performance in the member states.
While presenting her paper also, the Deputy Secretary General Mrs. Linda Koroma presented a clear picture of the MRU Institutional Revitalization and restructuring. Mrs. Koroma maintained that the effective functioning of the MRU secretariat and the Machineries of Governments of member States suffers from lack of Technical and Skilled Professionals, poor working environment, lack of required logistical support and incentives to enhance productivity. The Deputy Secretary General however pointed out that the need for reform to ensure desired initiatives are not responsive to the prevailing needs and realities as well as sustainable constitutes vital elements of the challenges to be addressed. Mrs. Linda Koroma also noted that during the three day deliberations they would focus on restoring physical, logistical, technical/ human and administrative capacity to the secretariat. Support according to her would be accordingly secured to rehabilitate and equip the premises of the secretariat in order to create a conducive working environment and that professionals and technocrats would be appointed and recruited through a competitive process with required logistics provided to facilitate the implementation of activities.
Other speakers during the opening session were Dr. Alpha Balde who spoke on the economic development and regional integration while Mrs. Ayesha K. Sankoh directed her paper on peace and security and the 15th protocol. Remarks were also made on behalf of MRU offices based in Liberia. Sierra Leone embassy bead of chancery, Mr. Tamba E. Juana, spoke on behalf of ambassador rev. Dr. Mrs. Marie jilo Barnett. Earlier, the workshop was officially opened by Liberia’s planning and economic affairs minister, Hon., Amara Konneh
Ms. Mariama Coker, Information Attaché, Sierra Leone Embassy/MRU, Monrovia, Liberia
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