Hon. Prince Yormie Johnson, Senior Senator of the Liberian Senate, is currently in The Gambia to explore ways and means of wooing Gambian as well as non-Gambian investors to invest in key areas of investment in Liberia.

The plane carrying Hon. Johnson touched down on Banjul International Airport on Friday at 8:00pm and as part of his visit, the senior senator will today pay courtesy visits on the Speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia, the Chief of Defense Staff and upper echelons of the National Intelligence Agency. Hon. Johnson is in The Gambia on the invitation of Uniglobal Gambia Limited and as part of his visit, he would embark on a conducted tour of the company’s facilities.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Momodou Justice Darboe in his room at the five-star Kairaba Beach Hotel, Hon. Johnson explained that there is a profound need for him to reach out to encourage business partners and potential ones to invest in Liberia, especially at a time when the ban on mining of diamond and logging was lifted.

According to the Nimba County senator, there exist numerous investment opportunities in Liberian and that the time have now come to see how best to ensure their maximum utilization.
“Besides mining and logging, there are other areas of investment in Liberia. Though, we have stories of coup attempts and other discouraging stories emerging from Liberia due to unscrupulous people bent on painting a negative picture of the country, Liberia under Her Excellency, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is generally peaceful, stable and tranquil. So as a senator elected alongside others to make Liberia better for all, I feel it incumbent upon myself to complement the efforts of the Liberian government by reaching out, exploring avenues to carve an enviable position for Liberia of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in development term,” he added.
“The Government of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf cannot be compromised; it’s a government for peace in the sub-region and never again would Liberia be used as a launch pad for war.”

For Hon. Johnson, who’s also a member of Ecowas parliament, the countries of the West African sub-region deserve a huge pat on the back for being besides his country in their days of trouble and afterwards.
“I could recall meeting the Gambia leader in Liberia when he led a contingent of soldiers and officers from Gambia to help keep and build the peace in Liberia in the early 90’s. So I thank God to be alive today and to be a senator in my country and also my brother, Alhaji Dr. Yahya, to be the leader of this great country today. I brought along a letter for him and hope it would be delivered to him by,” he enthused.

Commenting on Gambia of the early 90’s and Gambia of today, Hon. Johnson said: “I must be frank with you! When I visited Gambia in the early 90’s for the peace talk and when I visit the country this time around, the difference in terms of development is noticeable. There is a significant improvement in development in many areas. This is why Liberians need support from her brothers not only in peace-keeping, peace-building but also in post-war reconstruction. Sixteen years of war has damaged Liberia. Liberia needs to be reconstructed and move forward. Our infrastructure was destroyed and the economy plundered by warlords,” he pointed out. 
“I would not also do justice without commending President Jammeh for bringing the old man back home. Bringing Jawara back to Gambia to live like any other citizen is a clear manifestation that Jammeh is a man of peace; one who forgets and forgives and with the best interest of Gambia and Africa at heart.”

Also speaking to our assistant news editor were Hon. Sellou Bah and Hon. Alhaji Ablie Suku Singhateh, who all described their colleague in the Ecowas parliament as a man of the people.
“I could recall one of our discussions when Hon. Johnson spoke to me about the need for potable water, quality and standard health facilities for his people. This is a clear show of concern and magnanimity on his part,” said Hon. Singhateh.

Meanwhile, Hon. Bah expressed gratitude to Senator Johnson for making good his promise to visit The Gambia.
“He has always been talking to us about his love for The Gambia and the desire to visit it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Hon. Johnson is expected to be accompanied to the Office of the Speaker of the National Assembly by Ecowas parliamentarians Hon. Ablie Suku Singhateh, Momodou L.K. Sanneh, Haddy Nyang-Jagne, Sellou Bah among others.