Africa-Press – Liberia. The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), the University of Liberia, and development partners have broken ground for the construction of two science facilities.
The facilities which are expected to be hosted in the T.J R. Faulkner College of Science, Technology, Environment, and Climate Change at the University of Liberia are the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences and the Regional Center of Excellence for Fisheries Science and Governance.
The facilities which would include a dormitory will be constructed within the Fendell campus of the University at a cost of US$1.8 million.
Bita Construction Company won the bid to construct the dormitory which will be a two-story building with 14 bedrooms on each floor and Mak Enterprise won the bid to construct the academic building following a competitive process.
Speaking during the ceremony, the proxy for the Director General of the NaFAA, Augustine Manoballah commended the World Bank for the financial support toward the Liberian Fisheries sector which has led toward the establishment of the fisheries science degree program at the University of Liberia.
Manoballah who is the Deputy Director General for Administration at NaFAA said “We are breaking grounds for the construction of facilities for the Department of fisheries science all of this is a dream come true for Liberia with the help of the World Bank”
He noted that the government of President George Weah has been farsighted in the establishment of a fisheries science degree program at the University which is geared toward the development of the skills of Liberia’s youthful population to enable them manage the fisheries sector.
The NaFAA Deputy Director General pledged to work collaboratively with development partners including the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, (FAO) and the World Bank to ensure the continuity of the fisheries science department at the University.
At the same time, he urged development partners to continue their technical and financial support to enhance the operation of the fisheries science degree program at the University of Liberia.
“Following the construction of these facilities, there will be a need for additional support for students and faculty staff enhancement and also there will be a need for material support such as laboratory equipment among others, as such we the government through NaFAA will count your support,” Manoballah said.
He added that the project is being funded by the World Bank under the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project (LSMFP).
Also making remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony, the World Bank Acting Country Manager, Mack Cape-Hart Mulbah, disclosed that the project will contribute to improving and ensuring fisheries management and enhancing livelihoods and income for both government and targeted beneficiaries.
“The benefits to be reaped from this project are immense and include the development of soft skills such as training of university students and graduates in the fisheries sector which in turn will contribute to the creation of job opportunities for Liberians,” he said.
“The groundbreaking is the seed that promises to bear fruit from the vital collaboration between the Liberian government and the World Bank in the fisheries sector.”
He said the World Bank will also be looking into supporting the construction of further infrastructures to support the sector through the establishment of fish processing facilities, cold storage facilities that are needed for effective fish preservation, and the rise in revenue generation from the sales.
He added that the Bank’s engagement in the sector will also fund much-needed interventions across the whole value chain, such as investments in new alternative vessels and fishing gears for catching fish at sea and a modern landing fishing dock at Monrovia’s Mesurado Pier.
Speaking earlier, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Assistant Representative for programs in Liberia pledged to work with the University for the enhancement of the Fisheries Science degree program.
Octavius T. Quarbo disclosed that FAO is currently working with the management of the University in other areas and will also be willing to provide technical assistance for the furtherance of the fisheries science degree program in Liberia.
Also, the head of the Environmental Justice Foundation in Liberia, (EJF) Cephas Asare commended the government of Liberia for the establishment of the fisheries science degree program.
Asare pledged his entity’s support through internships for the development of the student’s practical skills for the job market.
Meanwhile, the president of the University of Liberia Dr. Sarwolo Nelson Jr. commended the World Bank for its support of the Fisheries Science degree program.
It can be recalled, on January 25, NaFAA in collaboration with the University of Liberia launched the Fisheries Science Degree program at the main campus of the University on Capitol Hill.
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