-For Sinoe County
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
The government of Liberia through several lines of Ministries and agencies over the weekend signed a US$20.4M climate change Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at creating a sustainable and resilient future for the coastal communities in Sinoe County.
The signing ceremony which was held at the Ministry of Finance’s tenth-floor conference room is in fulfillment of the project title:” Enhancing the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities in SinoeCounty of Liberia”.
During the signing ceremony, UNDP Energy and Environment Coordinator, Mr. Moses Massah signed on behalf of UNDP Resident Representative, Stephen Rodriguez.
Signing for the government of Liberia, Minister Wilmot Paye, signed for the Ministry of Mines and Energy, while Minister Roland Giddings signed on behalf of the Ministry of Public Works and Deputy Environment Protection Agency Executive Director, Signed for the EPA and Acting Finance Minister signed on behalf of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce.
The project is funded by the Global Environmental Facility, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the government of Liberia and also implemented with the African Development Bank.
The project has a duration of seventy-two months, which is six years but has currently gone two years. The project started in November 2022 and is expected to end in November 2028.
Goals of the project, the project seeks to enhance the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities in SinoeCounty against coastal change impact.
Also, the project objectives which are in four components aim at strengthening the institutional capacity of climate change adaptation, aimed at enhancing the ability of local and National institutions to respond to climate change impacts through capacity building and training.
Further, the project seeks to support climate innovation through communication and technology and introduce a habit adaption solution, which is implementing a mix of engineering and natural-based solutions.
Finally, it aimed to support livelihood diversification with the outcome of increasing adaptive capabilities, by improving institutional frameworks and community awareness to ensure better planning and response to climate risks and mitigate coastal erosion, flooding, and climate risk reduction among others.
Remarking on the program earlier, acting Finance and Development Planning Minister, Mr. Anthony Myresexpressed gratitude and appreciation for the signing of a new MoU to protect the people of Sinoe and its surroundings.
According to him, if Sinoe County is threatened by sea erosion due to the lack of coastal defense, it means that all other counties around there are also threatened because Sinoe has a Sea Port which represents economic development, trade, and productivity.
He pointed out that Liberia’s coastal zone is adversely affected by several climate change impacts, such as sea level rise, increased coastal flooding, and erosion, rising temperatures as well as frequent high temperatures of sear.
“It’s in response to these challenges and many more that the government of Liberia with support from the UNDP and the Global Environmental Facility developed the project title: enhancing the Resilience of Vulnerable Coastal Communities in Sinoe County. We are happy for this MoU today. We want to inform you that today’s singing is a rebirth and we will ensure that the project is implemented to the fullest unless our predecessor” he concluded.
Proxying for UNDP residents representative, Mr.Moses Massah, Energy and Environment Coordinator expressed optimism that the goals and objectives of the project will be implemented.
He, however, reaffirmed the UNDP support to Liberia but stressed that the government be transparent and accountable in the implementation of donors’ projects.
Concluding the remarks, Sinoe County District One representative Romeo Quioh, described the growing coastal tension in his county as appalling while extolling the government and partners for the timely implementation.
“ Our county is gradually disappearing. We want to thank you for resigning and committing to this MoU. It’s my hope that you will work swiftly to implement this MoU to save the people of Sinoe County “ heconcluded
