Africa-Press – Liberia. The investors’ visit to Liberia gave them the opportunity to meet with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, House Speaker Cllr. Fonati Koffa, and government officials.
Monrovia, August 22, 2024: A Liberian-born Mayor in the United Kingdom, Alpha Bird Collins, has led a trade mission to Liberia. Collins is interested in investing millions in various businesses, from agriculture to telecommunications and mining, among others.
This week, the NewDawn newspaper interviewed Mayor Collins in Monrovia, during which he detailed potential investors’ interest in investing millions of dollars in agriculture, telecommunications, and mining.
As a long-time businessman before transitioning to diplomacy and politics, Mayor Collins believes that investing in the private sector would help provide other means of income and lift Liberians out of poverty.
However, Mayor Collins cautioned Liberians against pursuing selfish interests whenever they meet potential investors.
“There are many possibilities, but one of the things is the Liberian people are to be truthful to themselves because sometimes when people come into the place, they want to [do] business … and people jump and say what is in it for me?” he cautioned.
In May this year, Collins was inaugurated as Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood in the United Kingdom, becoming the first Liberian to hold this office there.
To attract investors to Liberia, Mayor Collins’ office has collaborated with the Liberian Ambassador to the Court of Saint James in the U.K., Amb. Gurly Gibson Schwarz, who has been instrumental.
Through these investments, they hope to create job opportunities for Liberians.
“Yes, that prompted us to come here, and the investors, the would-be investors, they stayed here for the past five days, and we had a wonderful and promising time here at the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ministerial Complex,” said Mayor Collins.
The investors’ visit allowed them to meet with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, House Speaker Cllr. Fonati Koffa, Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, and many other government officials.
While it is a private sector investment, Mayor Collins noted that they would collaborate with the Liberian Government for nation-building and make things happen for the people.
He stressed the importance of ensuring people get job opportunities and finance to put food on their tables.
As part of their areas of interest, he said they have spoken with the leaders of the Liberian Telecommunications Corporation, who have assured him of their willingness to collaborate with potential investors.
Mayor Collins believes that the telecommunication sector should not be monopolized, giving consumers the power to make choices on the products they need.
“So, you, see? It’s a good thing, it’s a positive thing for the Liberian people because the more people come in, you will have choices,” said Mayor Collins.
Some of those Mayor Collins is in touch with for investment have an interest in the mining sector.
Considering the investment interest in this sector, he told this paper that he has met with Liberia’s Mines and Energy Minister Wilmot Paye.
“And he has already delegated to one or two persons to go about and respond to those emails, the people’s concerns because people really want to come to Liberia because Liberia, we have a lot of resources,” Mayor Collins explained.
On the trade mission to Liberia, there were also team members who were interested in agriculture.
He encouraged Liberians “to be ashamed to beg” but “be proud to work.”
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