MONROVIA, July 19 (LINA) – The Government of Liberia in collaboration with International Trade has disclosed plans to construct half a million United States dollar state-of-the-art surfing facility in Grand Cape Mount County to boost the sport in the country.
« We have half a million dollars to carry out a project to improve the infrastructure for surfing in Grand Cape Mount County, » Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe disclosed, adding that the project is suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In remarks at the donation ceremony of 31 surf boards provided by Chris Tucker and Simon to the Grand Cape Mount County Surfing Association at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), Minister Nagbe said the project is designed to support young people who have the aptitude for surfing and who can become great professionals.
The MICAT boss noted that the government will also construct surfing apprenticeship areas to enhance the capacity of surfers in the country.
He indicated that Liberia has one of the best conditions of Surf Tourism in the world, which according to him, is in Grand Cape Mount County.
Minister Nagbe opined that Surf Tourism is a big component that Liberia has as an asset.
Meanwhile, Minister Nagbe revealed that President George Weah recognizes the importance of tourism in the country and has committed the Government to paving the road connecting Madina to Robertports, adding that the procurement process is ongoing and actual work will begin early next year.
« If you cannot access a place, you cannot visit it. Access and security are things that bring tourists to your country. We have security and we need access which we are committed to doing as a government. It is not the government that carryout tourism but rather the private sector, » Minister Nagbe said.
He explained that Liberia has every aspect of tourism that any country can boost of, stating that maximizing the potential has been a major problem to bring it to reality.”
He said a Bill to establish the Act of the Liberia Tourism Authority is still under deliberation at the National Legislature and when it is passed it will unveil the potential of tourism in the country.
LINA LLH/IAS/PTK
