Africa-Press – Liberia. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, has signed an Exchange of Notes (E/N) for the consignment of 29, 412 bags of 25kg rice valued at five hundred thousand United States dollars (US$5,000) donated to the Government of Liberia.
The official signing ceremony, which was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, April 5, where sealed by Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Faisal Al-Zamil, head of delegation from Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The food donation from the Saudi Arabian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has been turned over to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) to be used for disaster victims and vulnerable people of Liberia.
Speaking through an interpreter after the signing ceremony, Al-Zamil pointed out that the gesture was in fulfillment of a request made to his government by Liberia’s Foreign Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr.
He also lauded his government for seeing the need to identify with Liberia and its citizens during these difficult times.
In response, Minister Kemayah pointed out that in pursuant of the vision of President George Manneh Weah as enshrined in the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), he engaged the Saudi government on food assistance and the renovation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“In line with the directives of the President of the Republic of Liberia, we initiated a series of ongoing engagements with our bilateral partners and friends including, but not limited to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
“Our request for food assistance was to enable a prompt response by the government to would-be victims of disaster related situations as well as those within the bloc of vulnerabilities.
The bilateral discussions were held in October; a communication from the Saudis came informing me that the requests made for the renovation of the Foreign Ministry and food assistance were granted,” Minister Kemayah revealed.
The Liberian government was later asked by its Saudi counterpart to provide a bank account to deposit the amount of US$2 million and US$500,000 respectively that were approved for the renovation of the ministry and food assistance.
He noted that the Liberian Government was also requested to identify the sample of rice to be imported to Liberia and work out the modalities for the rice to be distributed to the needy.
He told the Saudis delegation that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in keeping with its reform agenda, is not involved with the distribution of food and as such, the relevant agency of the Liberian government will cease the distribution exercise.
“I am indeed very much pleased as we continue our endeavor towards impacting the lives of the Liberian people pursuant to the vision and agenda of President George M. Weah,” he said.
He added that the consignment of the donation is directly for the Liberian people who fall within the category of victimized through disaster or in the request vulnerable situation.
Kemayah further cautioned that the high level of transparency and accountability taking place under his watch at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be implored during the distribution of the rice to would-be beneficiaries.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) of Liberia Henry O. Williams thanked Minister Kemayah and noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs played a pivotal role to actualize many of the developmental initiatives and assistance Liberia and its citizens are currently benefiting from.
“This effort by Minister Kemayah will be remembered because, to cater to the needs of victims of disasters is not an easy task,” he stated further.
Williams also attributed the fulfillment of the rice grant to Liberia to the credibility of the Weah led-administration.
According to him, the gesture from the Saudis will enable his agency to adequately cater to needy disaster victims and vulnerable Liberians residing in the country.
“We want to recognize the partnership and friendship of the Saudis government because; a friend in need is a friend in deed.
We are in need and you came to our aid and so, we want to say thank you” he stressed further.
Internal Affairs Minister, Varney A. Sirleaf, expressed Liberia’s gratitude to the Saudis government as Liberia witnessed another signing ceremony that brought food items for the entire citizens.
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