AfDB grants $294m for infrastructure in Mano River Union countries

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a-147 billion CFA (about 294 million dollars) grant for the maintenance of roads and transport facilities in Mano River Union member-countries, a statement by the regional bank said on Friday.

The statement said that three countries in the union such as Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia and Guinea would benefit from the grant.

Mano River Union is a regional organisation made up of Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Established in 1973, the union aims at strengthening economic cooperation and integration among member- states.

According to the statement, Cote d’Ivoire share of the grant is 70 billion CFA, Guinea, 21 billion CFA and Liberia, 56 billion CFA.

It said that the grant was to facilitate the construction and paving of several roads within the territories of the three countries.

The statement said that the Mano River region could face a critical mobility problem in the near future due to population explosion and its economic potential.

“Following these imminent challenges, the AfDB will play frontline roles in the construction of roads as well as setting up border crossings for joint control,’’ it said.

It said that the programme, which is planned to span between 2015 and 2019, would facilitate cross border commerce and social interaction among inhabitants of the target areas.

(NAN)