The Government of Liberia, in partnership with the World Bank (WB) and the French Agency for Development (AFD), is set to unveil two groundbreaking parallel projects on Friday, June 16, 2023.
These projects, the Liberia Urban Resilience Project (LURP) and the Monrovia Integrated Development Project (MIDP), share a common objective of increasing flood resilience and improving access to urban infrastructure in selected neighborhoods while enhancing urban management in Liberia.
The much-anticipated launch will take place at the Paynesville City Hall and will be graced by the President George Manneh Weah, who will serve as the officiating officer.
Dignitaries, representatives from the WB, AFD, government officials, and development organizations are expected to attend this momentous occasion.
The LURP, financed by the World Bank with a total cost of $40 million, aims to address Liberia’s pressing challenges related to flooding, climate risks, and urban management deficiencies.
Simultaneously, the MIDP, a $10 million project funded by the AFD, seeks to offer integrated, resilient solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change and improve urban management in Liberia.
According to a press statement, the projects will focus primarily on Greater Monrovia, a region burdened with urban management challenges and susceptible to flooding due to its rapid post-war population growth and its status as one of the wettest capitals in Africa.
The release says, “By investing in climate-resilient infrastructure and capacity building, the projects aspire to reduce flooding, climate risks, and increase access to basic services in line with the government’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Development and Prosperity (PADP).”
The LURP will span a six-year period, concentrating on flood risk management and infrastructure upgrades in prioritized areas of Greater Monrovia.
These areas include potentially Northern Bushrod Island, Central Monrovia, Omega Market Area, and Southern Paynesville. The project will improve drainage networks, construct climate-adaptive facilities,
upgrade markets, and develop a comprehensive Solid Waste Management Operational Plan (SWMOP) for Greater Monrovia, Buchanan, Gbarnga and Ganta cities.
Complementing the LURP, the MIDP, with a projected implementation period of four years, will prioritize the construction and rehabilitation of climate-resilient public facilities and infrastructure in the neighborhoods of Lakpazee, Shoe Factory, and Wood Camp.
The says the project will enhance the capacity of local actors to manage equipment and anticipate risks associated with climate change, focusing on sustainable solid waste management and spatial planning.
The Ministry of Public Works (MPW), supported by various government ministries, agencies, and townships will spearhead the implementation of these projects through a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU). Stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), alongside the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC), and the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), will actively contribute to the success of these transformative initiatives.
The launch of the LURP and MIDP projects marks a significant milestone in Liberia’s pursuit of resilient urban development and improved infrastructure. By addressing the complex challenges faced by the nation, these projects demonstrate the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, sustainable urban management, and climate resilience.