Liberia is again going to benefit a package of 165.9million Euros from the European Commission to assist in the reconstruction process and help in the execution of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) in the country. Making a presentation of the National Authorizing Officer (NAO) of the European Development Fund (EDF) to senior staffs of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs (MPEA) last weekend in Monrovia, the Deputy NAO, Mr. Alvin Attah disclosed that the 10th EDF  package will come in two separate envelopes, A and B. He said the first envelope A, which is in the tune of 150million Euros divided in various sectors, 40 goes to the restoration of social services which includes the educational and health sectors; 20million goes to governance which includes institutional and capacity building.

Mr. Attah further explained that 85million is to be used for infrastructure, especially for transportations while 5million is to be spent on NSA which also includes civil society, trade union, trade etc. The Deputy NAO stressed that the EC has taken keen interest in the Monrovia-Gbarnga-Ganta-Guinea Border and the Monrovia-Buchanan Highways, something he said will indeed be a big boost to the commercial and Agricultural sectors and will also be a great factor in eliminating hunger and poverty. “As a matter of fact 40million has already been approved to support the national health plan which has very comprehensive plans,” he said.

Speaking further, Mr. Attah pointed out that the 10th EDF is also going to support infrastructure through the Liberia Reconstruction Trust Fund (LRTF) and would be managed by the World Bank. He recalled that in 1994, the powers of the National Authorizing officer was taken away from Liberia by the commission because of what he termed as gross human rights abuses, the breakdown of the rule of law and the collapse of democratic governance, however, due to that splendid performance of the Ellen led government, a positive relation with the EC has been restored and there are present discussions for the return of NAO powers to the government and people of Liberia.  Making a power point presentation to some deputy ministers at the program, Mr. Attah also disclosed that the 10th EDF package cannot be disbursed presently because according to him the 9th EDF which should have expired sometime ago is still on-going.
The deputy NAO further briefed the senoir staff on the prevailing relation between the EC and the Liberian government in relations to the revised Cotonou agreement in 2005, stressing that Liberia's relationship with the EC is not limited to the Foreign Ministry where bilateral and other diplomatic issues are handled.

He maintained that the NAO office at the ministry of MPEA will be responsible to represent the Government and the people of Liberia in the direct management of the EDF allocated for Liberia. Speaking to the INQUIRER after the program, Deputy Minister Marcus Dahn commended the EC for its continuous support rendered to the government and people of Liberia but called on the implementing partners of the package to ensure that the funds be utilized for its intended purpose. "For too long the people of Liberia have heard about huge amount of money but seen less amount of work," he noted.