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---

### Executive Summary — Context and purpose
- Lift Liberia: a 3-year, MDG-based poverty reduction strategy (PRS) developed through broad-based consultations and launched in April 2008; expected to be completed by June 2011.
- CWIQ 2006 baseline: "64% of Liberians live in abject poverty" with unequal rural/urban distribution.
- March 2010 marked the end of the second year of PRS implementation.

### Executive Summary — Year two implementation performance
- Year one completion: "20 out of 107 planned interventions was completed."
- Year two deliverables: "225 total deliverables due in year two" with "181 deliverables were successfully completed" — an "implementation rate at 80 percent for year two of the PRS."
- Remaining off-track: "44 interventions marked 'off track' by March 2010."

### Executive Summary — Key development and service delivery achievements
- Roads and transport:
  - "over 50 miles" of paved roads constructed.
  - "over 1,000 miles" of primary and secondary laterite roads rehabilitated.
  - "8 bailey bridges" installed.
- Health and education infrastructure:
  - "more than 83 clinics & health centers" constructed and rehabilitated.
  - "more than 175 schools & colleges" constructed and rehabilitated.
  - Approval of "US$40 million from the World Bank for investment in education."
- Water, communications, and education outcomes:
  - "50 percent of the population have access" to safe drinking water.
  - "tele-density (32% of population)."
  - "increase in primary school enrollment (24%)."
- Private investment and natural resources:
  - "more than 10 forestry and mining concessions ratified."
- Food security and agriculture:
  - "more than 50 per cent of the Liberian population are considered food secured."
  - "agricultural sector grew by 5 per cent."
  - "the prevalence of poor food consumption dropped by 7 per cent."

### Executive Summary — Macroeconomic and fiscal outcomes
- GDP growth: "4.6 per cent increase in GDP."
- Trade: "27 per cent reduction in the balance of trade."
- Inflation: "real inflation decreased from 17.5 per cent to 7.4 per cent."
- Banking: "average bank lending rate dropped to 14.2 per cent."
- Budget and debt:
  - "national budget increased by more than 300 per cent between 2005 and 2009."
  - "72 per cent reduction in foreign debt (from 4. 7 billion to 1.3 billion at March 2010)."

### Executive Summary — Governance, institutional and legal reforms
- Policy and institutional milestones:
  - "The National Decentralization Policy has been approved by the cabinet."
  - "Land Commission has been established and made functional."
  - "mandates and function review has been completed for 6 ministries and agencies."
  - "General Auditing Commission completed 5 major HIPC audits."
  - "Civil Service Reform Strategy completed."
- Legislation and reform processes:
  - "Whistleblower, Freedom of Information, and Code of Conduct Acts were submitted to National Legislature for passage."
  - "Revised Revenue (before the legislature) and Investment Incentive Codes passed by National Legislature."
  - "reforms in legal and judicial systems are taking hold."

### Executive Summary — Peace, security and social protection progress
- Security and crime:
  - Improvements achieved with support from UNMIL, the United States Government and other partners.
  - "incidence of armed robbery, as reported in local media, has been drastically reduced."
  - "sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) has been reduced by 4 per cent."
  - "incidents of arson also decreased."
  - "Improvement in the relationship between citizens and law enforcement officers" with increased crime reporting and improving statistics gathering.

### Executive Summary — Implementation challenges and forward-looking issues
- Infrastructure gaps: "roads" and climatic conditions.
- Planning transition: "crafting of the next generation of PRS to fill any potential gap in development planning."
- Electoral logistics: "the mobilizing of resources for the holding of general and presidential elections."
- Private sector role: "strategically placing the private sector at the heart of economic growth and job creation in the next development strategy."
- Agriculture: "positioning agriculture as the main stay of the economy."
- Persistent off-track deliverables: "44 interventions marked 'off track' by March 2010 despite significant progress made on these deliverables."

### Executive Summary — Overall assessment and concluding outlook
- "All developmental, governance and social indicators are showing year-over-year improvement."
- "these improvements are not mere accidents; they are results of a more robust implementation strategy led by the government with the support of development partners, civil society, and the private sector."
- Aspirational conclusion: "With the right political leadership, strong institutions, dedicated planners and technicians, Liberia can become a middle income country within a relatively short period of time."

### Introduction — purpose, objectives, and report organization
- APR reviews PRS implementation for April 2009 to March 2010; prepared by MPEA with government entities, donors, NGOs, civil society and private sector.
- Objectives include inspecting PRS projects, assessing macroeconomic impact, stakeholder consultations, reviewing M&E Deliverable Tracking Tool data, documenting sector outputs, and identifying cross-cutting implementation issues.
- Report organization: Section summaries across implementation, M&E, Security, Governance, Economic Revitalization, Infrastructure & Basic Services, Cross-cutting issues, and Way forward.

### Year Two Aggregate Progress and Enablers
- Year one implementation rate: 20% (20 of the 107 deliverables completed in April 2008 – March 2009).
- Year two (April 2009 – March 2010): 181 (80%) of the 225 planned interventions completed; 44 (20%) deliverables not completed as at end-March 2010 but with significant progress.
- Enablers: improved capacity, better coordination, stronger ownership, effective communication, year one preliminary report release, pre-retreat activities, Cabinet retreat on August 15, 2009 producing 90-day action plans, and Rapid Results Approach (RRA) training.

### Progress by Pillar — summary of completion rates and key points
- Peace and Security Pillar (SEC):
  - Completion: 54 out of 56 deliverables completed — 96% completion rate.
  - Outstanding: nearly 37 critical interventions remain to be completed by end of PRS period (June 2011).
- Economic Revitalization Pillar (ERC):
  - Completion: 44 out of 58 priority interventions completed — 76% completion rate; 14 (24%) not completed but showing significant progress.
  - Major successes: Passage of the Public Financial Management Law (PFM Law) and Revised Investment Code; ASYCUDA pilot; Establishment of Land Commission; model Mineral Development Agreements (MDA); National Microfinance Policy; Mining Cadastre System; National Employment Policy (NEP).
- Governance & Rule of Law Pillar (GRL):
  - Completion: 18 out of 29 interventions completed — 62% completion rate; 11 (38%) considered “off track”.
  - Achievements: civil service reform, decentralization policy, anti-corruption commission, support to General Auditing Commission, Law Reform Commission, Land Commission, Freedom of Information Act and Whistle Blower Act drafting, public defender system, county-level case management, reduction in pre-trial detention, prison rehabilitation.
- Infrastructure & Basic Services Pillar (IBS):
  - Completion: 53 out of 72 interventions completed — 74% completion rate; 18 (26%) “off track”.
  - Health: BPHS implemented in 53% of existing health facilities; county ambulance services; increased child immunization; increased mosquito net use; rising HIV/AIDS awareness and decreasing incidence rates.
  - Education: payroll verification; construction of primary and secondary schools; free compulsory basic education policy; teacher training institute renovations; school feeding program.
  - Roads and transport: Pavement of Cotton Tree-Bokay Town road (10 miles); 991 miles out of 1,187 miles of Primary laterite roads completed; 219 miles of 300 miles of Secondary roads completed; 130 miles of 400 miles of Feeder roads completed.

### Implementation challenges (detailed)
- Capacity to deliver: technical and functional capacity constraints across government, private sector, civil society, and local NGOs.
- Sector coordination: insufficient cross-sector coordination to exploit synergies.
- Sectoral leadership: weak leadership in several sectoral ministries; lack of tracking of NGO-implemented activities.
- Motivation and oversight from Cabinet Ministers: inadequate supervisory support in many ministries; committed ministers improve productivity.
- Partnership with other branches of Government: PRS viewed as Executive prerogative; limited shared responsibility with Legislature and Judiciary.
- Community participation: low public ownership and engagement.
- Private Sector participation: private sector yet to find its relevant place; need to reduce transaction costs (tax administration, customs, business registration).
- Aid environment: fragmented and ad-hoc; lack of robust institutional coordination framework and aid policy.
- Unrealistic aspects of PRS: ambitious scope for a three-year period; some deliverables unobtainable or lacking clear growth/poverty impact.

### Monitoring and Evaluation — approach, tools, and metrics
- Shift to participatory, physical inspection and community conversations.
- M&E objectives: citizen feedback, NGO accountability concerns, increase perceived government sincerity, track outcome and impact indicators against PRS action matrices.
- LRDC and MoF Aid Management Unit monitor financial flows from GoL and development partners.
- Data-collection deployment:
  - County Development Officers and M&E Assistants in each county.
  - Deployment of a team of 225 Field Monitors around the country.
- CWIQ baseline and targets:
  - CWIQ 2007 baseline: 64 per cent poverty rate.
  - PRS three-year goal: bring down poverty from 64% to 60% by June 2011.
  - Government/development partners target: reduce the poverty rate by four percentage points over the three-year Lift Liberia PRS.
  - LISGIS preliminary CWIQ findings expected by: September 2010.
- County visits covered Montserrado, Margibi, Bong, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, Sinoe, Rivercess, Grand Bassa and inspected projects including Tappita Referral Hospital (100-bedroom), University of Liberia Fendell campus, CB Dunbar Hospital (55-bedroom), joint security border post in Toe Town, Sinoe Agricultural Training Institute, Rice Mill in Nimba, Youth center in Ganta, Bassa Community College, Millennium Village project in Kokoya, and paved 10 mile stretch from Cotton Tree to Bokay Town road.

### Public Financial Management, National Budget, and Anti-Corruption (5.2)
- PFM Reform Agenda implemented; Public Finance Management Law enacted in August 2009.
- PFM Law features:
  - defines legal/regulatory framework for PFM actors and reporting requirements;
  - governs all matters related to management of public finances of Liberia;
  - intended to ensure public finances are subjected to scrutiny to curb corruption.
- Project Budgeting:
  - Budget Framework Paper (BFP) for 2010/11 National Budget prepared.
  - Project Budget allows ministries/agencies to compete for funds outside core budget; projects must be 100% PRS aligned and demonstrate high rate of economic returns.
- Anti-corruption measures:
  - Procurement reforms under the Public Procurement Act; procurement committees and units established in all procuring entities; procurement plans integrated into national budget.
  - General Auditing Commission (GAC) established as autonomous body performing comprehensive audits; GAC audits required under HIPC arrangement.
  - Liberia Anti Corruption Commission (LACC) conducting investigations, recommending prosecution where evidence sufficient, and running public education programs.

### Land, Mining and Forestry (5.7)
- Land:
  - Objective: develop comprehensive national land tenure and land use system; Land Commission established and operational nationwide.
  - 2009 achievements: several land disputes resolved; land parcels demarcated for markets and public uses; emphasis on equitable access especially for the poor, women, and marginalized groups.
- Mining:
  - Government goal: expand mining to nearly 12 percent of GDP in 2011.
  - Policy reforms: New National Mineral Policy adopted; Revised Revenue Code harmonized mining and forestry laws; progress on model MDA and MCIMS; EISA required for every mining project.
  - Investment activity in 2009:
    - thirty (30) companies applied for forty-five (45) mineral exploration licenses; issuance of twenty (20) mineral exploration licenses to fifteen (15) companies.
    - Mineral Development Agreements concluded with Elenito, BHP Bbilliton, PIOM, China Union, and agreement with Amlib United Minirals.
  - Production and exports:
    - Diamond production fell from 60,536 carats in 2008 to 36,828 carats in 2009 — a fall of 39.2 percent.
    - GDO processed 51 Kimberly Process (KP) certificates with cumulative weight and dollar value at 19,092.64 carats and US$ 7 million respectively, representing US$222,608.11 in revenue.
    - Records indicate a drop in export volume of over fifty percent (50%) while export diamond value and corresponding revenue registered a decline of eight percent (8%).
    - Gold export for 2009: fifty nine (59) shipments; weight and export value of 13,593.74 ounces of unrefined gold and US$ 9,551,962.18 respectively.
    - Accrued revenue to GoL from gold export for the reporting period is US$ 91,314.22, representing 2% of the sales.
    - Total revenue realized from the precious mineral export market is currently over US$400,000 and will exceed US$500,000 for 2009.
  - Formal sector employment in 2009: Agriculture & Forestry sector accounted for 28.0 percent while Mining represented 1.5 percent.
  - MCIMS: Mining Cadastre Office hosting MCIMS completed and commissioned; MCIMS fully operational with trained MLME staff; expected to enhance transparency and streamline licensing.
- Forestry:
  - 2009 achievements:
    - Approximately 2.5 million hectares of forest allocated.
    - Six (6) Timber Sales Contracts (TSCs) concluded.
    - Four (4) Forest Management Contracts (FMC) concluded.
    - Two (2) Forest Resource Licenses awarded.
    - 2,024 permits for non timber forest products issued.
    - Two plantation contracts concluded.
    - Community Rights Law passed and Community Forestry Development Committees (CFDC) established.
  - FDA revenue:
    - US$ 500,444 generated from sawn timbers.
    - L$ 1,280,230 generated from Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs).
    - Annual Land Rental, Administrative and Bid Premium of US$ 5,006,214 collected through Liber/SGS.
  - Export milestone: 1,917 pieces of logs shipped to France — first major consignment since lifting of UN sanctions on Liberian forest products.

### Rule of Law (6.2)
- Goal: equal access to justice, strengthen legal/judicial institutions, expand access to justice, protect human rights.
- Staffing and skills:
  - Skills gap assessment performed; Ministry of Justice recommended appointment of three (3) new assistant ministers and twelve (12) County Attorneys.
  - Assistant Ministers of Taxation and Litigation appointed; Assistant Minister (Codification) still to be appointed.
  - Twelve (12) County Attorneys and three (3) Assistant County Attorneys appointed.
  - Public defenders hired by the Judiciary and deployed to all 15 counties.
- Judicial Training Institute:
  - James A.A. Pierre Judicial Training Institute established; vetting and initial training of magistrates and judges underway.
- Case management and pre-trial detention:
  - National and County-level Case Management System established; quarterly county reports to Solicitor General; prison profiling program started at Monrovia Central Prison and National Palace of Corrections.
  - Magisterial Court positioned at the Monrovia Central Prison to fast track pre-trial hearings.
  - Judiciary appointed Public Defenders in all 15 counties.
- Legal aid and infrastructure:
  - Public Defender system intended to support legal aid for vulnerable populations.
  - Judiciary FY09/10 budget provides for construction of Circuit Courts in River-Gee and Grand Kru; Magisterial Courts in West Point, Paynesville, Gardnersville, Brewerville, and New Kru Town.
- Gender justice:
  - SGBV Unit established at the Ministry of Justice.
  - Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for police and prosecutors in SGBV cases developed.
  - Special court for SGBV cases established at the Temple of Justice.

### Roads, Bridges, and Public Buildings (7.3)
- Damage context: most roads, bridges and public buildings were severely damaged or destroyed during the civil crisis.
- Major PRS Year Two primary paved roads completed:
  - ELWA Junction to RIA — 28 miles.
  - Cotton Tree-Bokay Town Road — 10 miles (7 miles completed as of end Year 2).
- Primary laterite roads:
  - Target: 1,187 miles.
  - Completed: 991 miles.
  - Notable segments: Zwedru-Greenville — 113 miles; Robertspot-Madina — 27 miles; Ganta-Saclepea-Tappita-Zwedru-Fish Town — 219 miles; Brewerville-Bopolu — 59 miles; Bopolu-Belle Yallah — 28 miles; Saclapea-Loquatuo — 51.3 miles; Gbarnga-Voinjama — 120 miles.
- Secondary laterite roads:
  - Target: 300 miles.
  - Completed: 219 miles.
  - Notable segments: Royesville Road — 15 miles; Borlola Road — 24 miles; Gnatala-Kokoma — 20.8 miles; DcClarke-Zordee Clay Town — 15.5 miles.
- Feeder roads:
  - Target: 400 miles.
  - Completed: 130 miles.
  - Sample locations: Daniel Town-Talla — Cape Mount; RIA Snafu Dock — Margibi; Dolo Town-Peter Town — Margibi; Gbern Gio-Little Kola — Bassa; Sasstown-Gabon — Bomi; Little Liberia-Timbo Beach — Rivercess.
- Bridges:
  - World Bank donated twenty-seven (27) prefabricated steel bridges; eight (8) installed; remaining 19 ongoing or on tendering.
  - Installed bridges (location — length): Freeport of Monrovia — Marginal Wharf — 90’; Royesville-Sass Town — Guinea River — 80’; Fish Town- Harper Highway — River Gee — 180’; D.C. Clacke-Jlijuah — Jlijuah — 130’; Ganta-Saclepea — Gunu River — 60’; Careysburg City-Bensonville — Bensonville — 40’; Kakata-Gbarnga — Nyanforla River — 90’; Polytechnic Road — Bo Highway — 80’.
- Public buildings:
  - Administrative buildings in all fifteen counties rehabilitated except Maryland County (using rehabilitated City Hall).
  - Fifteen (15) peace huts constructed.
  - Ministries/agencies relocated into public buildings include: Ministry of Labor; Ministry of Planning & Economic Affairs; Ministry of Internal Affairs; Ministry of Youth & Sports; Ministry of Defense; National Elections Commission.

### Energy and Ports (7.6)
- Energy goals: provide reliable, sustainable and affordable energy; extend grid electricity; develop hydro and renewable capacity; improve legal/regulatory frameworks; develop petroleum sectors.
- Recent interventions and capacities:
  - Provision of approximately 2.65 MW under Emergency Power Program 1 (EPP1).
  - EPP2 to provide another 7 MW.
  - Expressions of Interest received for Monrovia Power Concession; feasibility studies for rehabilitation of Mt. Coffee Hydroelectric Facility awarded.
  - MOU with West African Power Pool for connection of 18 Liberian communities to Cote d’Ivoire electricity.
- Major Year Two achievements:
  - Transition from EPP II to Independent Power Production (IPP).
  - National Energy Policy passed; Rural and Renewal Energy Agency (RREA) established.
  - Biomass potential assessment completed; agreement with Buchannan Renewable Energy (BRE) for rubber wood energy production.
  - Solar assessment completed; solar panels shipped to Grand Cess awaiting installation.
  - Electricity distribution extended to Bushrod Island, Monrovia, and Congo Town; RFP and material specifications drafted.
  - Donor-funded management contract: US$63 million over five years committed by development partners to build LEC capacity, expand connections from approximately 2500 to 35,000 customers, set up IT systems and train technicians.
  - Norway provided funds for additional 3MW high speed diesel generator and distribution expansion on Bushrod Island and other areas.
  - Street lights installed on major streets in Monrovia and five suburbs: Bushrod Island, City Hall Community, Sinkor, Duport Road, Paynesville City.
- Ports:
  - National Port Authority (NPA) operations improved to international standards: fencing of Freeport, wharf clearing, sunken vessel removal, security system installation.
  - Port management near finalizing award of management contract to a Canadian company to enable capital investment in the Freeport of Monrovia.

### Private Sector Development/Involvement (9.2)
- Private sector objective: diversify economy into manufacturing, trade, and services; create jobs and employment.
- Infrastructure and administrative reforms to stimulate investment:
  - Improvements in roads, power, and telecom.
  - Business registration process reduced from twenty-one (21) steps to six (6) steps.
  - Streamlined business registration synchronized with One-Stop-Shop procedures of MOCI, MOF, and MOFA.
  - One-stop-shop for customs clearing operational at the Monrovia Port.
  - Revised National Investment Code passed; proposed revision to the Revenue Code before the legislature.
  - Commercial court being developed for commercial disputes.
- Informal sector, finance, and human capital:
  - Training programs targeted women, young adult workers, and persons with disabilities.
  - Micro-finance policy developed to improve access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
  - Emphasis on country-led human capital development aligned with private sector needs.
- Policy implications and priorities:
  - Continue infrastructure investments in roads, power, and telecom.
  - Maintain and expand administrative streamlining (business registration, customs, investment and revenue codes, commercial court).
  - Expand targeted training and micro-finance measures to integrate informal sector and support SMEs and female entrepreneurs.
  - Strengthen human capital development aligned with private sector skills needs.

*Source: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (Annual Progress Report of the PRS, March 2010).*

### EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.......................................................................................................

### EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

### Context and purpose
- Lift Liberia: a 3-year, MDG-based poverty reduction strategy (PRS) developed through broad-based consultations and launched in April 2008; expected to be completed by June 2011.
- CWIQ 2006 baseline: "64% of Liberians live in abject poverty" with unequal rural/urban distribution.
- March 2010 marked the end of the second year of PRS implementation.

### Year two implementation performance
- Year one completion: "20 out of 107 planned interventions was completed."
- Year two deliverables: "225 total deliverables due in year two" with "181 deliverables were successfully completed" — an "implementation rate at 80 percent for year two of the PRS."
- Remaining off-track: "44 interventions marked 'off track' by March 2010."

### Key development and service delivery achievements
- Roads and transport:
  - "over 50 miles" of paved roads constructed.
  - "over 1,000 miles" of primary and secondary laterite roads rehabilitated.
  - "8 bailey bridges" installed.
- Health and education infrastructure:
  - "more than 83 clinics & health centers" constructed and rehabilitated.
  - "more than 175 schools & colleges" constructed and rehabilitated.
  - Approval of "US$40 million from the World Bank for investment in education."
- Water, communications, and education outcomes:
  - "50 percent of the population have access" to safe drinking water.
  - "tele-density (32% of population)."
  - "increase in primary school enrollment (24%)."
- Private investment and natural resources:
  - "more than 10 forestry and mining concessions ratified."
- Food security and agriculture:
  - "more than 50 per cent of the Liberian population are considered food secured."
  - "agricultural sector grew by 5 per cent."
  - "the prevalence of poor food consumption dropped by 7 per cent."

### Macroeconomic and fiscal outcomes
- GDP growth: "4.6 per cent increase in GDP."
- Trade: "27 per cent reduction in the balance of trade."
- Inflation: "real inflation decreased from 17.5 per cent to 7.4 per cent."
- Banking: "average bank lending rate dropped to 14.2 per cent."
- Budget and debt:
  - "national budget increased by more than 300 per cent between 2005 and 2009."
  - "72 per cent reduction in foreign debt (from 4. 7 billion to 1.3 billion at March 2010)."

### Governance, institutional and legal reforms
- Policy and institutional milestones:
  - "The National Decentralization Policy has been approved by the cabinet."
  - "Land Commission has been established and made functional."
  - "mandates and function review has been completed for 6 ministries and agencies."
  - "General Auditing Commission completed 5 major HIPC audits."
  - "Civil Service Reform Strategy completed."
- Legislation and reform processes:
  - "Whistleblower, Freedom of Information, and Code of Conduct Acts were submitted to National Legislature for passage."
  - "Revised Revenue (before the legislature) and Investment Incentive Codes passed by National Legislature."
  - "reforms in legal and judicial systems are taking hold."

### Peace, security and social protection progress
- Security and crime:
  - Improvements achieved with support from UNMIL, the United States Government and other partners.
  - "incidence of armed robbery, as reported in local media, has been drastically reduced."
  - "sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) has been reduced by 4 per cent."
  - "incidents of arson also decreased."
  - "Improvement in the relationship between citizens and law enforcement officers" with increased crime reporting and improving statistics gathering.

### Implementation challenges and forward-looking issues
- Remaining and emerging challenges as PRS end and elections approach:
  - Infrastructure gaps: "roads" and climatic conditions.
  - Planning transition: "crafting of the next generation of PRS to fill any potential gap in development planning."
  - Electoral logistics: "the mobilizing of resources for the holding of general and presidential elections."
  - Private sector role: "strategically placing the private sector at the heart of economic growth and job creation in the next development strategy."
  - Agriculture: "positioning agriculture as the main stay of the economy."
- Persistent off-track deliverables: "44 interventions marked 'off track' by March 2010 despite significant progress made on these deliverables."

### Overall assessment and concluding outlook
- The report concludes that the second year of PRS implementation demonstrates tangible progress: "All developmental, governance and social indicators are showing year-over-year improvement."
- The report states that "these improvements are not mere accidents; they are results of a more robust implementation strategy led by the government with the support of development partners, civil society, and the private sector."
- Aspirational conclusion: "With the right political leadership, strong institutions, dedicated planners and technicians, Liberia can become a middle income country within a relatively short period of time."

*Source: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (Annual Progress Report of the PRS, March 2010).*

### 1. INTRODUCTION

### 1. INTRODUCTION

### Overview and Purpose
- The second year Annual Progress Report (APR) reviews progress toward full implementation of Liberia’s MDG-based Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) covering April 2009 to March 2010.
- The Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs (MPEA) prepared the report in collaboration with government ministries, autonomous agencies, bureaus & commissions, donors, implementing partners, NGOs, civil society organizations, and private sector actors.
- The APR aims to promote deviation from past non-existent development reporting and citizen participation, and to provide a gauge for measuring performance and national ownership.
- The APR documents actual deliverables due, progress achieved, challenges, and lessons learned from April 2009 to March 2010 and serves as a tool to increase successful performance during the PRS’ third and final year.

### Objectives and Scope
- Inspect PRS projects and programs across the country;
- Assess the impact of development projects on macroeconomic condition of the country as reflected by the growth rate;
- Discuss with stakeholders their perception of development progress and appreciation of challenges and constraints;
- Review monitoring data from the national M&E Deliverable Tracking Tool to assess progress of implementation in all priority intervention areas;
- Document implementation progress of sector outputs and cross-cutting priority interventions against projected timeframe;
- Identify specific cross-cutting issues in implementation such as gender equity, peace building, the environment, HIV/AIDS, and children and youth;
- Identify implementation gaps based on stakeholder inputs.

### Organization of the Report
- Section 2: overview on progress of year two implementation;
- Section 3: M&E processes, measurement of progress toward M&E achievements;
- Section 4: detailed progress on the Security pillar;
- Section 5: progress on Governance and the Rule of Law;
- Section 6: progress on the Economic Revitalization pillar;
- Section 7: progress on rebuilding infrastructure and delivering basic services;
- Section 8: progress and challenges on cross-cutting issues including gender equity, HIV/AIDS, peace building and conflict sensitivity and the environment;
- Section 9: way forward: strategic challenges and imperatives.

---

### 2. PROGRESS ON YEAR TWO IMPLEMENTATION

### Aggregate Progress and Key Enablers
- Year one implementation rate: 20% (20 of the 107 deliverables completed in April 2008 – March 2009).
- Year two (April 2009 – March 2010): 181 (80%) of the 225 planned interventions completed; 44 (20%) deliverables not completed as at end-March 2010 but with significant progress.
- Enablers of improvement: improved capacity, better coordination, stronger ownership, effective communication, timely release of the year one preliminary report, pre-retreat activities with development partners and civil society, a Cabinet retreat on August 15, 2009 producing 90-day action plans (to be completed by end-November 2009), and training in Rapid Results Approach (RRA) by LRDC with WBI and UNDP.

### Notable Completed and Ongoing Interventions
- Visible infrastructure and service impacts: roads, bridges, health centers, waste disposal and street cleaning, water and sanitation, educational institutions, improvement in post & telecommunication.
- Soft/Institutional initiatives: legislations, policies, institutional strengthening, capacity building, overall coordination and monitoring.

---

### 2.1 PROGRESS BY PILLAR

### Peace and Security Pillar (SEC)
- Completion: 54 out of 56 deliverables completed — 96% completion rate.
- Key implementation lesson: disaggregation of deliverables and assignment to specific ministries/agencies increased accountability and ownership.
- Contributing factors: effective pillar leadership and strong cooperation from development partners; full representation of the National Legislature at pillar meetings; high-profile development partner engagement.
- Outstanding: nearly 37 critical interventions remain to be completed by end of PRS period (June 2011).
- Concern: preparedness for management of eventual UNMIL transition.

### Economic Revitalization Pillar (ERC)
- Completion: 44 out of 58 priority interventions completed — 76% completion rate; 14 (24%) not completed but showing significant progress.
- Major successes (completed during year two):
  - Passage of the Public Financial Management Law (PFM Law) and Revised Investment Code;
  - Rolling out of ASYCUDA in a pilot phase;
  - Establishment of Land Commission;
  - Completion of a model Mineral Development Agreements (MDA);
  - National Microfinance Policy;
  - Mining Cadastre System;
  - National Employment Policy (NEP).
- Constraints: effects of global economic crisis; lack of strong leadership and participation by MAC heads on PRS implementation; funding shortfalls; legislative constraints delaying ERC-related bills; insufficient human capacity to implement deliverables.

### Governance & Rule of Law Pillar (GRL)
- Completion: 18 out of 29 interventions completed — 62% completion rate; 11 (38%) considered “off track”.
- Achievements include:
  - Reforming the civil service;
  - Developing a decentralization policy;
  - Establishing an anti-corruption commission;
  - Supporting and funding an independent General Auditing Commission;
  - Establishing a Law Reform Commission and a Land Commission;
  - Drafting Freedom of Information Act and Whistle Blower Act;
  - Establishment of a public defender system, county-level case management mechanisms, reduction in pre-trial detention, and rehabilitation of several prisons.
- Constraint: many interventions require legislative action, affecting the pillar’s completion rate; judiciary coordination with development partners needs improvement.

### Infrastructure & Basic Services Pillar (IBS)
- Completion: 53 out of 72 interventions completed — 74% completion rate; 18 (26%) “off track” though substantial work done.
- Health sector progress:
  - Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) implemented in 53% of existing heath facilities;
  - Construction of health centers and clinics;
  - All counties have ambulance services equipped with communication devices;
  - Increased child immunization success rate; increased use of mosquito nets; rising HIV/AIDS awareness and decreasing incidence rates.
- Education sector progress:
  - Payroll verification;
  - Construction of primary and secondary schools;
  - Free compulsory basic education policy;
  - Renovation of teacher training institutes;
  - School feeding program.
- Roads and transport:
  - Pavement of the Cotton Tree-Bokay Town road (10 miles);
  - 991 miles out of 1,187 miles of primary laterite roads completed;
  - 219 miles of 300 miles of Secondary roads completed;
  - 130 miles of 400 miles of Feeder roads completed.

---

### 2.2 IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES

- Capacity to deliver:
  - Technical and functional capacity constraints across government, private sector, civil society, and local NGOs (e.g., business plan preparation, grant proposal writing, project coordination).
- Sector Coordination:
  - Insufficient coordination across sectors to exploit synergies and reinforce activities.
- Sectoral Leadership:
  - Weak leadership in several sectoral ministries; lack of tracking and coordination of NGO-implemented activities by sector ministries.
- Motivation and Oversight from Cabinet Ministers:
  - Frontline staff report inadequate supervisory support; in many ministries PRS interventions are perceived as additional work outside ministerial functions; where cabinet ministers are committed, productivity improves.
- Partnership with other branches of Government:
  - PRS viewed largely as Executive prerogative; limited shared responsibility with Legislature and Judiciary slows implementation, especially where legislative action is required.
- Community participation:
  - Low public ownership and engagement; perception that PRS is solely government responsibility.
- Private Sector participation:
  - Private sector yet to find its relevant place in the development agenda despite LRDC Steering Committee involvement; more effort needed to reduce transaction costs (tax administration, customs, business registration) to encourage investment and job creation.
- Structured and Effective Aid Environment:
  - Aid environment remains fragmented and ad-hoc; lack of a robust institutional coordination framework and an aid policy articulating acceptable quality and coordination of aid.
- Unrealistic and non-catalytic aspects of PRS:
  - Ambitious scope with many interventions in a three-year period; some deliverables viewed as unobtainable within timeframe; some deliverables lacked clear growth and/or poverty reduction impact.

*Source: _cr11214 - 1. INTRODUCTION (APR covering April 2009–March 2010)*

### 3. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

### 3. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

### Monitoring and Evaluation — Year Two approach and mechanisms
- Shift from counting completed interventions to participatory, physical inspection of projects and conversations with local communities.
- Objectives of participatory M&E:
  - Provide citizens opportunity to express frustrations and recommendations for better implementation.
  - Allow international and local NGOs to express concerns about the role of government and county administration in project and program implementation.
  - Increase perceived sincerity of government in PRS implementation and attention to citizens’ plight.
- M&E framework focus:
  - Geared toward monitoring outcome and impact indicators in the second year against goals set out in the PRS action matrices.
  - PRS priorities are tracked to ensure smooth implementation.
  - LRDC, in collaboration with the MoF Aid Management Unit, monitors financial flows from the Government of Liberia and development partners to obtain a better overall picture of Government inputs and external support usage.
  - Regional and Sectoral Departments of the MPEA assist in coordinating quality delivery of data at the county-level for the duration of PRS implementation.
- Data-collection mechanism:
  - Deployment of County Development Officers and M&E Assistants in each county.
  - Deployment of a team of 225 Field Monitors around the country.
  - Government intention to scale up from PRS/CDAs mechanism to a national framework that tracks all development programs/projects and conducts effective M&E to ensure development results are achieved and impacts are felt by citizens.

### Core Welfare Indicator Questionnaire (CWIQ) — baseline, targets, and follow-up
- CWIQ 2007 baseline:
  - Established the poverty rate at 64 per cent.
- PRS and MDG targets:
  - MDG framework challenge: halve the 64 per cent poverty rate by 2015.
  - Government and development partners aimed to reduce the poverty rate by four percentage points over the three-year Lift Liberia PRS.
  - PRS three-year goal: bring down the poverty rate from 64% to 60% over the three year period ending June 2011.
- Need for empirical follow-up:
  - Only objective way to determine measurable progress is to conduct another CWIQ.
  - M&E working group chaired by LISGIS and the LRDC Secretariat initiated another CWIQ survey involving stakeholders.
  - LISGIS is analyzing the data and preliminary findings are expected by September 2010.

### County visits — scope and projects inspected
- LRDC secretariat conducted nationwide field trips to assess work by development partners and NGOs and gauge impact on ordinary Liberians.
- Counties covered (with plans to cover remaining counties underway):
  - Montserrado County
  - Margibi County
  - Bong County
  - Nimba County
  - Grand Gedeh County
  - Sinoe County
  - Rivercess County
  - Grand Bassa County
- Notable projects inspected during the tour:
  - 100-bedroom Tappita Referral Hospital
  - University of Liberia Fendell campus
  - 55-bedroom CB Dunbar Hospital in Gbarnga
  - Newly constructed joint security border post in Toe Town, Grand Gedeh
  - Sinoe Agricultural Training Institute
  - Rice Mill in Nimba
  - Youth center in Ganta, Nimba
  - Bassa Community College in Buchanan
  - Millennium Village project in Kokoya, Bong County
  - Paved 10 mile stretched from Cotton tree to Bokay town road

### Key statistics and monitoring-related figures cited
- Field Monitors deployed nationwide: 225
- CWIQ poverty baseline (2007): 64 per cent
- PRS three-year poverty reduction target: reduce poverty from 64% to 60% by June 2011
- LISGIS preliminary CWIQ findings expected by: September 2010

*Source: _cr11214 - 3. MONITORING AND EVALUATION*

### 5.2      Public    Financial    Management,    National    Budget,    and    Fight    against

### 5.2      Public    Financial    Management,    National    Budget,    and    Fight    against    
Corruption

### 5.2.1 Financial Management
- GoL embarked on a comprehensive PFM Reform Agenda to support greater transparency and accountability in the budgetary process.
- A Public Finance Management Law was enacted in August 2009.
- The PFM Law:
  - defines the legal and regulatory framework underpinning the responsibilities of each PFM actor and the reporting requirements of each spending entity and the Ministry of Finance;
  - governs all matters related to the management of the public finances of Liberia;
  - will ensure that public finances are subjected to the most thorough scrutiny to help curb corruption.
- Attendant Regulations to the law were endorsed by the Government and subsequently issued to spending agencies for use in the management of public finances.
- The GoL invested resources to develop the capacity of line ministries and agencies responsible for implementation.

### 5.2.2 Project Budgeting
- In accordance with the Public Financial Management Law, the GoL prepared a Budget Framework Paper (BFP) for the 2010/11 National Budget.
- The BFP:
  - provides policy, economic and fiscal context for the budget;
  - presents resource forecasts alongside the policy priorities those resources will address.
- The BFP provided for Project Budgeting in addition to:
  - sectoral distribution of GoL resources;
  - distribution of donor allocations;
  - distribution of total discretionary expenditure.
- The Project Budget:
  - allows ministries and agencies (M&A) to compete for funds outside their core budget by submitting project bids whose start dates will be determined by the receipt of specific revenues;
  - contains PRS-consistent projects that represent a clear investment in the future growth of Liberia’s economy;
  - will be operated on the principle that disbursements can be used to finance capital and current expenditures (including temporary staff or office accommodation) required for the investment project, but will not include any ongoing costs to government;
  - requires projects to be 100% PRS aligned and demonstrate high rate of economic returns to qualify.

### 5.2.3 Corruption
- Corruption is identified as a fundamental challenge that seriously impedes GoL’s efforts to improve its financial position and enhance the standard of living for Liberians by depriving government of resources needed for economic recovery.
- The PFM Law enables several new control mechanisms intended to address leakages in the financial management regime.
- Public procurement reforms:
  - Since enactment of the Public Procurement Act, procurement has been decentralized with MACs undertaking procurement consistent with the Act;
  - procurement committees and units have been established in all procuring entities;
  - training workshops were conducted on the PPCC legislation, regulatory instruments, and the procurement process;
  - procurement plans of MACs are integrated into the annual national budget.
- General Auditing Commission (GAC):
  - established as an autonomous commission to perform comprehensive post audits, special financial investigations, reconciliation's and analyses, and continuous audits of government entities on a routine basis;
  - duties include audits of government ministries, agencies, departments, local governments, state-owned enterprises and other government business type activities, and private entities receiving government funding and/or contracting with the Government of Liberia;
  - GAC audits of key GoL ministries are a requirement under the HIPC arrangement.
- Liberia Anti Corruption Commission (LACC):
  - further investments have allowed LACC to implement measures and undertake programs geared toward investigating, prosecuting and preventing acts of corruption in both the public and private sectors, including public education on the ills of corruption;
  - LACC has conducted several investigations into allegations of corruption, recommending prosecution where it has been able to gather enough evidence.

*Source: _cr11214 - 5.2      Public    Financial    Management,    National    Budget,    and    Fight    against    Corruption*

### 5.7 Land, Mining and Forestry

### 5.7 Land, Mining and Forestry

### Land
- Role and importance:
  - Land, Mining and Forestry are central to the poverty reduction strategy and potential major contributors to economic growth in Liberia.
  - Access to land and security of tenure are essential for economic revitalization, growth, and poverty reduction because the rural poor depend almost entirely upon land and other natural resources for livelihoods (food, fuel, shelter, water, medicines).
  - Unequal access to and ownership of land and other resources have contributed to economic and political inequities and exacerbated tensions and conflict.

- Government objectives and actions:
  - Primary goal: develop a comprehensive national land tenure and land use system to provide equitable access to land and security of tenure to facilitate inclusive and sustainable growth and ensure peace and security.
  - A Land Commission was established to address land comprehensively; the reform process is ongoing.
  - 2009 achievements: several land disputes resolved and land parcels demarcated for markets and other public uses.
  - The Land Commission established by the President began full operations throughout the country to facilitate reforms in land policy, law, and programs, promoting equitable and productive access to both public and private land, especially for the poor, women, and other marginalized groups.

### Mining
- Sector goals and outlook:
  - Central Government goal: rapidly expand mining as an engine of economic growth and social development, with mining expected to grow to nearly 12 percent of GDP in 2011.
  - Aim to diversify the mining sector into new and downstream activities and improve support to local miners.
  - Ensure benefits from mining activities are widely shared and local communities gain through employment, infrastructure access, and programs for diversification beyond mine life.

- Policy, legal and institutional reforms:
  - New National Mineral Policy adopted to address exploration licenses and mining leases.
  - Revised Revenue Code harmonized the New Minerals and Mining Law and the Forestry Law regarding mining concession rights and protected zones.
  - Significant progress on a model Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) and Mining Cadastre Information Management System (MCIMS).
  - A national mining sector framework with community and stakeholder input—including a protocol for regular reporting of all payments made to, and revenues from, mining companies per EITI provisions—was developed and shared with industry actors.
  - Model MDA requires an Environmental Impact and Social Analysis (EISA) on every mining project.

- Investment, activity and agreements:
  - Global economic crisis decreased investment dollars for mineral exploration programs; many exploration companies scaled down activities resulting in decreased expenditure for geological exertion.
  - Investor confidence showed signs of rebound with an increase in new applications for mineral exploration licenses and extensions on existing properties; alluvial gold and diamond sectors show re-emergence.
  - In 2009, thirty (30) companies applied for forty-five (45) mineral exploration licenses, resulting in issuance of twenty (20) mineral exploration licenses in Liberia to fifteen (15) companies.
  - Government concluded Mineral Development Agreements with Elenito (Western Cluster Iron Ore Deposit), BHP Bbilliton (Kitoma and Goe Fantro), PIOM (Putu Iron Ore Deposits), China Union (old Bong Mines Company in Bong County), and reached agreement with Amlib United Minirals for gold and diamond mining in KleKle, Cestos and Zwedru.
  - Diamond production fell from 60,536 carats in 2008 to 36,828 carats in 2009—a fall of 39.2 percent.
  - Government Diamond Office (GDO) processed 51 Kimberly Process (KP) certificates with cumulative weight and dollar value at 19,092.64 carats and US$ 7 million respectively, representing US$222,608.11 in revenue.
  - Records indicate a drop in export volume of over fifty percent (50%) while export diamond value and corresponding revenue registered a decline of eight percent (8%) due to recovery of high value stones in second quarter.
  - Gold export for 2009: fifty nine (59) shipments; weight and export value of 13,593.74 ounces of unrefined gold and US$ 9,551,962.18 respectively.
  - Accrued revenue to GoL from gold export for the reporting period is US$ 91,314.22, representing 2% of the sales.
  - Total revenue realized from the precious mineral export market is currently over US$400,000 and will exceed US$500,000 for 2009.
  - Formal sector employment in 2009: Agriculture & Forestry sector accounted for 28.0 percent while Mining represented 1.5 percent.

- Mineral Cadastre Information Management System (MCIMS):
  - A Mining Cadastre Office hosting MCIMS has been completed and commissioned.
  - MCIMS has been successfully tested and is fully operational; MLME staff trained as system operators, application registrars, GIS specialists, and system administrators.
  - Expected benefits: enhance transparency, boost investor confidence, increase mining revenue, streamline licensing processes, avoid ownership conflicts by clarifying boundaries, and enable tracking of payments and effective monitoring of exploration and mining contracts.
  - MCIMS positions Liberia among a select number of countries using computerized facilities for processing mineral license applications and administering mineral rights to manage exploitation of natural resources for lasting economic benefits.

### Forestry
- Sector goals:
  - Central goal: make forestry a source of higher incomes for the rural population, ensure equitable sharing of benefits, and maintain adequate environmental and regulatory safeguards for sustainability.

- Reforms and achievements:
  - GoL undertook community-based natural resource management reforms to boost economic activity through sustainable utilization of timber products, non-timber forest resources, and agro-forestry products, while improving environmental management and conservation.
  - 2009 sector achievements:
    - Approximately 2.5 million hectares of forest allocated.
    - Six (6) Timber Sales Contracts (TSCs) concluded.
    - Four (4) Forest Management Contracts (FMC) concluded.
    - Two (2) Forest Resource Licenses for private use awarded.
    - A total of 2,024 permits for non timber forest products were issued.
    - Two plantation contracts concluded.
    - A Community Rights Law passed and Community Forestry Development Committees (CFDC) established to empower local communities in forest management and equitable benefit sharing.
  - Forestry Development Authority (FDA) revenue:
    - US$ 500,444 generated from sawn timbers.
    - L$ 1,280,230 generated from Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs).
    - An additional Annual Land Rental, Administrative and Bid Premium of US$ 5,006,214 collected through Liber/SGS.
  - Export milestone: 1,917 pieces of logs taken from Southern Rivercess County shipped to France—first major consignment since lifting of UN sanctions on Liberian forest products, demonstrating compliance with forestry reforms.

### Key policy orientations and outcomes
- Cross-sectoral focus:
  - Emphasize clear property rights and security of tenure to attract new investment and protect rural livelihoods.
  - Balance investor returns with robust revenues and community benefits in new mining concession contracts.
  - Require EISA for every mining project to minimize negative social and environmental impacts and ensure benefits exceed costs.
  - Implement community-based management and legal frameworks (Community Rights Law, CFDCs) to share forestry benefits equitably and sustainably.

- Institutional strengthening:
  - Land Commission operational nationwide to drive land policy, law, and program reforms.
  - MCIMS operational to improve transparency and administration of mineral rights.
  - FDA revenue collection and permit issuance expanded, indicating operational progress in forestry governance.

*Source: _cr11214 - 5.7 Land, Mining and Forestry*

### 6.2 Rule of Law

### 6.2 Rule of Law

### Goal
- Ensure that every Liberian has equal access to justice and is treated similarly under the rule of law by:
  - strengthening and enhancing the effectiveness and integrity of legal and judicial institutions; and
  - expanding Access to Justice, and enhancing the protection and promotion of human rights under the Laws of Liberia.

### Identify critical staffing and skills gaps within all legal and judicial institutions
- A skills gap assessment was performed to determine levels of skills needed to strengthen legal and judicial systems.
- The Ministry of Justice compiled a list of critical staffing and skill gaps for legal institutions; next stage is recruitment to fill positions.
- Ministry of Justice recommended appointment of three (3) new assistant ministers (Litigation, Taxation, and Codification) and twelve (12) County Attorneys (qualified law school graduates).
- Status of recommended appointments:
  - Assistant Ministers of Taxation and Litigation have been appointed.
  - Assistant Minister (Codification) still to be appointed.
  - Twelve (12) County Attorneys and three (3) Assistant County Attorneys, all qualified lawyers, have been appointed.
- Public defenders have been hired by the Judiciary and deployed to all 15 counties.

### Establish a Judicial Training Institute
- The James A.A. Pierre Judicial Training Institute was established to facilitate assessment and training of existing magistrates and judges.
- The Institute has started vetting other judicial personnel and carrying out initial training for newly appointed judges.

### Develop a national and county-level case management system
- Ministry of Justice has established a National and County-level Case Management System to improve prosecution of cases.
- A survey was developed to document record keeping and Case-flow in each Ministry of Justice agency.
- Discussions with each agency were held to identify weaknesses and cross cutting issues.
- System components include:
  - quarterly paper reports of statistics by the county attorneys to the Solicitor General;
  - coordination between the Solicitor-General's office, the department for Rehabilitation and UNMIL, and the magisterial court sitting at The Monrovia Central Prison to deal with backlog of cases.
- Prison profiling program:
  - A program to track and profile criminals was started at the Monrovia Central Prison (MCP) and National Palace of Corrections (NPC).
  - Photos and bio-data were compiled on all detainees.
  - Full dossiers on all prisoners in the Monrovia Central Prison are completed and MoJ is trying to replicate this in other prisons.

### Reduction in the length of pre-trial detention
- Pre-trial detention is a nationwide problem; several people spend considerable amounts of time in prison, years in some instances, without trial or due process.
- Ministry of Justice is working with the Judiciary and civil society to define an approach; MoJ has initiated a public education campaign on release of pre-trial detainees.
- Major procedural step: positioning a Magisterial Court at the Monrovia Central Prison (MCP) to fast track pre-trial hearings and reduce length of detention.
- Judiciary appointed Public Defenders (PD) in all 15 counties to ensure accused indigents are provided access to legal representation.

### Development and implementation of a national enabling framework for legal aid
- The Public Defender system set up by the Judiciary is intended to provide support for provision of legal aid to vulnerable members of society.
- Magistrates were trained to support implementation of a national enabling framework for provision of legal aid, particularly for the poorest and most vulnerable.

### Identify prioritized list of outstanding infrastructure and operational equipment requirements
- In its FY09/10 budget, the Judiciary provided for construction of:
  - Circuit Courts in River-Gee and Grand Kru Counties respectively;
  - Magisterial Courts in West Point, Paynesville, Gardnersville, Brewerville, and New Kru Town.
- Construction expected to begin immediately after national government remits funds to the Judiciary's account.
- MoJ produced a consolidated list of outstanding infrastructure and operational equipment required for all legal and judicial institutions, received costing from all agencies, and consolidated the lists.

### Ensuring gender justice and equality within legal and judicial system
- Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) recognized as a critical issue post-conflict.
- Establishment of the SGBV Unit at the Ministry of Justice as first step.
- Development completed:
  - Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for police and prosecutors in SGBV cases.
  - Drafting of SOPs for legal and security sectors under the GBV taskforce.
- A special court to hear SGBV cases was established at the Temple of Justice to expedite these cases.
- These measures have increased awareness around sex crimes and gender based violence and helped to reduce incidences of SGBV.

*Source: _cr11214 - 6.2 Rule of Law*

### 7.3 Roads, Bridges, and Public Buildings

### 7.3 Roads, Bridges, and Public Buildings

### Damage, access, and safety conditions
- During the civil crisis most roads, bridges and public buildings were severely damaged or destroyed.
- Potholes and poor surfaces are common, posing major risks to motorists.
- Some roads, bridges, and public buildings have become inaccessible and extremely dangerous to the safety of vehicles, pedestrians, and users.
- Monrovia experienced widespread deplorable infrastructure: most main streets in Monrovia were inaccessible, severely restricting the free movement of goods and services.
- The old bridge connecting Central Monrovia to Bushrod Island collapsed, as did several other bridges nation-wide.

### Institutional response and policy
- The Ministry of Public Works has the statutory mandate to plan, design, construct and maintain all infrastructure works including roads, bridges and public buildings.
- As a policy intervention the Ministry has been rehabilitating and reconstructing damaged infrastructure and carrying out institutional reforms to improve works and services.
- The Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) sets government policy interventions to revamp the infrastructure sector.

### Major PRS Year Two deliverables completed — Primary Roads (Paved)
- ELWA Junction to RIA (28 miles): Pavement of the RIA highway beginning from ELWA junction improved movement of citizens, goods and services and access from the nation’s international airport to Monrovia.
- Cotton Tree-Bokay Town Road (10 miles): Of the 10 miles linking Cotton-Tree to Bokay Town on the Buchanan Highway, 7 miles have been completed; completion will enhance safe travel and movement of goods and services.

### Neighborhood roads (paved)
- Rehabilitation of specified Monrovia city streets: First phase of pavement completed as of the end of PRS Year 2, providing relief to residents facing extreme commuting difficulties.

### Primary Roads — Laterite
- Target: The total of 1,187 miles of primary laterite roads are targeted for rehabilitation covering the PRS period.
- Completed: 991 miles of the total have been completed.
- Completed and ongoing primary laterite road segments (as listed):
  - Zwedru-Greenville — 113 miles
  - Robertspot-Madina — 27 miles
  - Ganta-Saclepea-Tappita-Zwedru-Fish Town — 219 miles
  - Brewerville-Bopolu — 59 miles
  - Bopolu-Belle Yallah — 28 miles
  - Saclapea-Loquatuo — 51.3 miles
  - Gbarnga-Voinjama — 120 miles

### Secondary Roads — Laterite
- Target: 300 miles of Secondary Roads are targeted during the PRS period.
- Completed: 219 miles have been completed.
- Completed/ongoing secondary roads (as listed):
  - Royesville Road — 15 miles
  - Borlola Road — 24 miles
  - Gnatala-Kokoma — 20.8 miles
  - DcClarke-Zordee Clay Town — 15.5 miles

### Feeder Roads
- Target: PRS targets 400 miles of Feeder Roads (farm to market roads).
- Completed: 130 miles have been completed.
- Some feeder roads completed (locations listed):
  - Daniel Town-Talla — Cape Mount
  - RIA Snafu Dock — Margibi
  - Dolo Town-Peter Town — Margibi
  - Gbern Gio-Little Kola — Bassa
  - Sasstown-Gabon — Bomi
  - Little Liberia-Timbo Beach — Rivercess

### Bridges
- The World Bank donated twenty-seven (27) prefabricated steel bridges to the Republic of Liberia; received in two installments — September & October 2008.
- Installation status: Eight (8) have been installed; the remaining 19 (nineteen) are ongoing or on tendering.
- The eight (8) installed bridges (Road — Location — Length):
  1. Freeport of Monrovia — Marginal Wharf — 90’
  2. Royesville-Sass Town — Guinea River — 80’
  3. Fish Town- Harper Highway — River Gee — 180’
  4. D.C. Clacke-Jlijuah — Jlijuah — 130’
  5. Ganta-Saclepea — Gunu River — 60’
  6. Careysburg City-Bensonville — Bensonville — 40’
  7. Kakata-Gbarnga — Nyanforla River — 90’
  8. Polytechnic Road — Bo Highway — 80’

### Public buildings — rehabilitation and relocations
- Rehabilitation/construction of public buildings is a major PRS priority to reduce rental fees paid for ministries/agencies hosted in private properties and to relocate ministries/agencies into rehabilitated/constructed public buildings.
- By the end of PRS Year Two:
  - Administrative buildings in all fifteen counties have been rehabilitated except for Maryland County, which is currently using the rehabilitated City Hall as administrative building.
  - Fifteen (15) peace huts have been constructed.
- Ministries/agencies relocated into public buildings include:
  - Ministry of Labor
  - Ministry of Planning & Economic Affairs
  - Ministry of Internal Affairs
  - Ministry of Youth & Sports
  - Ministry of Defense
  - National Elections Commission

*Source: _cr11214 - 7.3 Roads, Bridges, and Public Buildings*

### 7.6 Energy and Ports

### 7.6 Energy and Ports

### Energy sector goals and context
- The goal for the energy sector under the PRS is to provide reliable, sustainable and affordable energy services to all Liberians in an environmentally sound manner.
- GoL focused on:
  - extending grid electricity throughout Monrovia and its environs;
  - developing hydro capacity and other renewable energy sources;
  - expanding grid electricity to other urban areas and some rural areas;
  - improving the legal, institutional and regulatory frameworks in the energy sector; and
  - developing the upstream and downstream petroleum sectors.
- A substantial proportion of the population still depend on firewood, charcoal, candles, kerosene and palm oil.
- Access to electricity is produced mainly from private generators at prohibitive costs and remains inadequate despite government efforts.

### Recent energy interventions and capacities
- Provision of approximately 2.65 MW of power to some parts of Monrovia under the Emergency Power Program 1 (EPP1).
- Installation of additional generators and network rehabilitation under EPP 2 to provide another 7 MW.
- Requested and received Expressions of Interest for the Monrovia Power Concession.
- Awarded the contract for the feasibility studies for the rehabilitation of the Mt. Coffee Hydroelectric Facility.
- Entered an MOU with the West African Power Pool for the connection of 18 Liberian communities with electricity from Cote d’Ivoire.

### Major achievements in PRS Year Two (energy)
- GoL transitions form Emergency Power Production (EPPII) to Independent Power Production (IPP) in year two of PRS implementation.
- The National Energy Policy was passed and The Rural and Renewal Energy Agency (RREA) was established to promote commercial development and supply of modern energy services to rural areas emphasizing locally available renewable energy resources.
- Biomass potential assessment completed; agreement concluded with Buchannan Renewable Energy (BRE) to produce energy from rubber wood.
- Completed assessment of solar potential; solar panels and accessories transported to Grand Cess, Grand Kru County awaiting instillation by Solar Tech Inc.
- Electricity distribution network extended to Bushrod Island, Monrovia, and Congo Town; the RFP has been drafted and specification of materials (poles, wires, etc) completed.
- Consummation of the donor funded management contract: Liberia’s development partners (Royal Government of Norway-GON, USAID, WB, OPBA (WB)) will over a five year period provide US$63 million to build the capacity of the Liberia Electricity Corporation through a management contract by creating an Electrical master Plan thereby reducing system loses and theft, increase revenue intake, expanding the distribution network connections from the present approximately 2500 to 35,000 customers, setting up an IT system to accommodate the expanded grid and subsequently training LEC technicians, engineers and managers.
- Funds secured for additional 3MW high speed diesel generator: The Government of Norway has provided funds to install an additional 3MW high speed diesel generator on Bushrod Island and expand the distribution network on Somalia Drive, Bushrod Island, Old and New Matadi, Larkpazee, Duport Road, Rehab areas towards Kendaja.
- Provision of Street Lights: Street lights have been installed on major streets in Monrovia and five suburbs including: Bushrod Island, City Hall Community, Sinkor, Duport Road, Paynesville City.

### Ports: progress and achievements
- New management of the National Port Authority (NPA) has improved operations to international standards and ranks above several other countries in West Africa.
- Projects undertaken by NPA management include:
  - fencing of the Freeport;
  - clearing of the wharf;
  - removal of several sunken vessels from the dock area;
  - installation of a security system that meets international standard.
- Port management is in the final stages of awarding a management contract to a Canadian company for port operations; this management contract will enable massive capital investment in the Freeport of Monrovia thereby restoring it to prewar status.

*Source: _cr11214 - 7.6 Energy and Ports*

### 9.2 Private Sector Development/Involvement

### 9.2 Private Sector Development/Involvement

### Private sector role and government objective
- Despite Liberia’s rich natural resource endowment, GoL aims to diversify the economy by encouraging private sector investment in manufacturing, trade, and services to realize sustained and inclusive economic growth and development.
- The private sector is identified as having the potential to create jobs and employment through market opportunities.
- GoL seeks to create an enabling environment by providing infrastructure, secure property rights, workforce education and healthcare, and other subsidies.

### Infrastructure and administrative reforms to stimulate private investment
- GoL is improving infrastructure (roads, power, and telecom) to provide necessary ingredients for industry and to facilitate movement of goods and services.
- Administrative and regulatory barriers addressed include business-related bureaucratic procedures and excessive inspections, cumbersome business start-up, unclear investment procedures, and cumbersome customs procedures and charges that particularly burden small and medium-sized enterprises and female entrepreneurs.
- Aggressive administrative reforms have reduced the business registration process from twenty-one (21) steps to six (6) steps.
- A streamlined business registration process has been synchronized with One-Stop-Shop procedures of line ministries (MOCI, MOF, and MOFA).
- One-stop-shop for customs clearing is completed and operational at the Monrovia Port.
- Additional reforms:
  - Recently passed Revised National Investment Code developed to streamline investment procedures.
  - Proposed revision to the Revenue Code is presently before the national legislature.
  - A commercial court is being developed to handle commercial disputes.

### Informal sector, access to finance, and human capital
- Training programs targeted marginalized groups (women, young adult workers, and persons with disabilities) to increase access to viable economic activities and organize the informal sector.
- Development of the Micro-finance policy to improve access to finance by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
- GoL recognizes country-led human capital development as essential and has developed a domestically driven capacity development agenda, engaging the private sector as partners in economic growth.

### Policy implications and priorities (implicit from text)
- Continue infrastructure investments in roads, power, and telecom to enable private sector expansion.
- Maintain and expand administrative streamlining (business registration, customs, investment code, revenue code, commercial court).
- Expand targeted training and micro-finance measures to integrate the informal sector and support SMEs and female entrepreneurs.
- Strengthen human capital development aligned with private sector skills needs.

*Source: _cr11214 - 9.2 Private Sector Development/Involvement (extracted content).*

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/websites/imf/imported-full-text-pdf/external/pubs/ft/scr/2011/_cr11214.pdf_