Liberia: Saudi Prince Pledges $2 Million for Housing

The Inquirer (Monrovia)

June 5, 2006

Posted to the web June 5, 2006

 

 

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has presented US$2 million to Liberia.

 

The Saudi Prince announced the donation to the country, when he visited Liberia last Friday.

 

The visit last Friday of the Saudi Prince, who is said to be the world's fifth richest man, was the second to the country in almost a year.

 

In mid last year, the Saudi Prince visited Liberia during the administration of the transitional government of Charles Gyude Bryant.

 

During that visit, the Prince donated US$1.2 million to the country. The amount is being managed by a special group, chaired by Mr. Harry Greaves, Jr.

 

Speaking to the press at the executive mansion following a meeting between the Saudi Prince and the Liberian leader, Mr. Greaves said the latest contribution of the Saudi Prince, will go towards housing.

 

Mr. Greaves said that the Saudi Prince was pleased over the efforts by the Liberian government and people in the management of the previous US$1.2 million donation he gave the country when he visited last year.

 

The Saudi Prince's previous donation is being managed by the Special Charitable Fund Committee on four major projects which include: printing and distribution of Liberian school text books to schools across the country; repair or the renovation of schools; purchasing of hospital equipment for distribution to Liberia health centers the purchasing of drugs among others.

 

In a related development, the Saudi Prince has expressed his interest to invest in the country's tourism industry. He plans to invest some 200 million in Liberia.