Liberian government marks one year in office

Jan 16, 2007, 18:10 GMT

Monrovia - The Liberian government headed by Africa's first female elected head of state marked one year in office in ceremonies Tuesday.

Among the changes found within the space of the year, are the supplying of electricity and water to a large part of the capital Monrovia, which had been described as the largest village in Africa.

Investor confidence has increased as is demonstrated by construction work around the capital, Monrovia, while pot-holed streets and burst culverts have been repaired. Through the support of the World Bank, roads across the country are being reconditioned.

In additional, civil servants' salaries are now paid in a timely fashion after being between 14 to 18 months in arrears only a year ago.

The government also has declared free education in government-run elementary schools resulting in a dramatic rise in the school attendance.

'When a female was first elected, I thought this country had gone to the dogs, but the contrary is the case,' observed tribal chief Fayia Musa.

Opposition politician Thomas Borwah however claimed that 'despite the huge international support this government is getting, it has yet to improve the living conditions of most Liberians.'

'Most Liberians still remain unemployed. This has led to an upsurge in the crime rate in recent times,' he said.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf promised to institute radical changes in the coming years.

'If we make hard decisions, we know that they will sometimes meet with criticisms, but we are not afraid and there will be no turning back because we do so in the interest of the people,' Ellen said at a rally in Monrovia.