Africa-Press – Liberia. The Government of South Korea has donated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a fleet of 10 new Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs to enhance the operational mobility of the ministry.
The donated vehicles, which were turned over to the outgoing Weah administration, are part of the Korean government’s drive to foster stronger bilateral relations with Liberia. The vehicles are expected to benefit the incoming administration of President-elect Joseph N. Boakai, who is expected to be inaugurated in January 2024.
“We have an ambition to share our knowledge with the government and people of Liberia in every sector, including rice production, which is becoming the most staple food in Africa,” Kim Young-Chae, the Korean Ambassador said.
“We hope this will enhance our relationship and improve trade and investment,” he added. “We want to see more Korean cars and investments in Liberia to improve the private sector.”
According Amb. Kim, the goodwill gesture is part of a large package that the Korean government had in mind to support development of Liberia, including the private sector investment.
He disclosed that the donation became possible following an appeal by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to play a crucial role in facilitating the mobility of diplomats and officials.
Receiving the vehicles, Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Kemayah claimed that the gesture resulted from the exemplary and visionary “leadership of President Weah, which places the interest of the Liberian people above all and his team’s uncompromising reform agenda at the ministry.”
He used the occasion to clarify that assigned or donated vehicles to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have not been taken away, contrary to media reports and speculations that they were looted or moved to unknown destinations.
“People were saying that vehicles at the Foreign Affairs Ministry have been looted,” Kemayah said. “But I can assure you that not a pin will be lost from here under my watch as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet of the Republic of Liberia before talking about vehicles that are very big. We will not compromise transparency, accountability, and equal opportunity for all.”
“I made a request to the Korean Ambassador that we need a total of 35 vehicles for our staff here at the Ministry, and he said he can’t make a promise, and his government couldn’t give more than five vehicles. I told him that together we can achieve it,” he added. “Today, we are here receiving 10 SUVs from the Korean government following intense engagements through the Korean Ambassador and myself. These 10 vehicles are for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia. We want to thank you, Ambassador, and your government and people for these vehicles.”
Kemayah further assured that the fleet of donated SUVs would be used for the purpose intended ahead of the inauguration of the next government in January 2024.
According to him, the vehicles will be given to deserving officials and personnel of the ministry following the conduct of a comprehensive audit during this transitioning period. He pointed out that not one of the donated vehicles will be assigned to anyone before the new administration takes over, saying that, “these 10 SUVs will form part of a comprehensive audit here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will be turned over to the new administration following the inauguration.”
“Though our government is outgoing, we want to reaffirm to you, the government and people of Korea, Liberia’s unwavering commitment towards further strengthening the already strengthened bilateral ties genuinely existing between our two countries, peoples, and governments.” Kemayah stressed the need for more Korean investments in Liberia to ensure competition and the advancement of the country’s economy.
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