WORLD BANK AFRICA REGION VICE PRESIDENT, OBIAGELI KATRYN EZEKWESILI ARRIVES

Monrovia, Liberia, March 29, 2010&World Bank Vice President for the Africa Region, Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili arrives in the country today to assess progress of implementation of World Bank assisted projects.

As part of the visit, she will hold high level talks with the Government on various issues bordering on scaling up the implementation projects, particularly in Infrastructure (including: roads, bridges, water, sanitation), Women and Youth Empowerment.

She will also inspect a number of on-going projects, including the Monrovia City streets rehabilitation works, and spend some time with market women at the Rally Time Market and Taxi Drivers at the ELWA Junction in Paynesville.

The current World Bank Portfolio in Liberia consists of about 20 projects totaling more S$250 million in commitments. The bulk of Bank financing of over US$160 million is invested in road infrastructure. Others sector benefiting from World Bank support are Budget Support, Ports Rehabilitation, Energy, Social Protection, Land and Forestry Reform, Economic and Public Sector Governance capacity building Agriculture, Sanitation, Education, Health and Economic Empowerment of Adolescent Girls.

The Vice President will be joined by Michel Wormser, Director of Operations, Ishac Diwan and Ohene Owusu Nyanin, Country Director and Manager for Liberia and other key sector staff.