Liberia: Saudi Gov’t Donates 50 Metric Tons of Dates to GOL

The government and people of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia have donated 50 metric tons of Dates to the people and government of Liberia (GOL).

The donation is a symbol of the cordial bilateral relationship that exists between both countries. 

Dates, a food item, is an iconic symbol of Arabian hospitality and an essential part of life in the Saudi Kingdom. A nutritious fruit, it has been a staple of the Saudi diet since ancient times and Muslims often used it to break a fast during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The dates were donated on Monday at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia attended by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Bin Hamad AlsoBaiee, Internal Affairs Minister Varney Sirleaf, Acting Foreign Minister Thelma E. Sawyer and staff of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, as well as members of the Muslim community of Liberia.

Presenting the food item, the Saudi Ambassador said that the donation demonstrates the level of relationship between the two countries.

“I have the honor to sign this gift given by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This reflects the level of relation between the two countries and the understanding that exists between the two leaders. In the next coming days there will be more cooperation with the two countries where the head of the Saudi kingdom will be coming for visits for Muslims and non-Muslims,” the Ambassador stated. 

According to him, the Saudi Fund for Development is carrying out some level of development in the country including US$500,000 food assistance and US$2 million donation for the renovation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He added that the Saudi government also provides other developmental assistance to the country. 

“The leader of the Saudi Kingdom is assuring for assistance to Liberia in the area of education and health. We hope that today the donation of the 50 metric tons of dates is well meaning for the country and in the coming Ramadan there will be another help for Liberia,” Hamad AlsoBaiee said. 

He thanked the government of Liberia for the assistance they provide for the Kingdom and said he wished prosperity for the two countries. 

Also speaking, Internal Affairs Minister Varney Sirleaf expressed the government’s gratitude to witness the signing ceremony that brings food items for the Muslim community and the entire Liberian citizenry. 

“We are very grateful for this. This food assistance is not the only thing that you are doing but so many other things. 

According to him, the kind gesture of the Saudi government dates as far as former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, which attracted funding for the construction of the Gbarnga-Malikomah road in Lofa County.

“Lofa happens to be a place that is also producing our food and, with your funding, when the project is completed, it will bring about the reduction of poverty in the lives of our citizens in that part of the country.  Today you announced that you will mobilize funding that will construct a very big Islamic center for the country. We are very grateful for all this assistance,” he said.

For her part, Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Thelma Sawyer said that her Ministry was grateful to the Saudi government for all of its assistance to Liberia. 

“You have contributed to the health sector and your plan to renovate this Foreign Affairs Ministry. We want to assure you whatever assistance you have provided to our Ministry we are very much thankful. We appreciate your government and we will continue to make sure that this bond of friendship continues to grow,” she said.