According to Ambassador Debora Malac, the U.S Government believes that the country’s long-term success requires the continued development of its governance bodies, with transparent accountability to ensure that the much-needed infrastructure, energy, education, and public health projects stay on track, are sustainably funded, and regularly maintained.

The U.S envoy made the disclosure at a program marking the 239th Anniversary celebration of the Independence of the United States of America in Monrovia.

She indicated that the plan correctly emphasizes the importance of good roads, ports, airports, electricity, and water as depicted in the Agenda for Transformation.

She disclosed that plans are afoot for the U.S. Government to contribute later this year significant resources to the rebuilding of the Mt. Coffee Hydro Power Plant.

The envoy also has high hopes in the U.S. continuing assistance to Liberia through USAID in the building of sustainable and resilient education and health systems that will better serve Liberians now and for generations to come.

She lauded the participation of officers of Liberia’s security apparatus especially in the Ebola fight, but emphasized the need for them to demonstrate their ability to further professionalize, be accountable to civilian authority, and to treat the Liberian people with respect and dignity.

Commenting on Liberia’s electoral system, the U.S. envoy said the conduct of several elections and the by-elections in Grand Bassa and River Cess Counties impeccably instill confidence among the public in the ability of Liberians to organize well-run elections that were judged by Liberian and international observers to be free and fair.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia has disclosed that it last year sent fifteen young Liberians to participate in President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).

The program is designed to build closer relations between the U.S., countries and more capable young leaders through people-to-people contacts and is now called “The Mandela Washington Fellowship” in honor of the late South African President and statesman, Nelson Mandela.

Ambassador Malac lamented the absence of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the hosting of the second meeting of the U.S.-Liberia Partnership Dialogue, an initiative that she and former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton launched in January 2013.
LINA BMK/TSS/PTK