July 2009 may just be considered another memorable month and year in the history of the African continent, with its leaders having converged in Sirte, Libya for the 13th Extraordinary Summit of the African Union (AU), formerly the Organization of African Unity (OAU) which formation gained roots from the Republic of Liberia, arriving at what is being described as the best solution in attaining socio-economic development in the region.

United States President Barack Obama, the 44th and first African American leader who was on January 20, 2009 inaugurated, with the world's population left with new mind-sets in the peaceful co-existence of nations and mankind, precisely hit the chord in his inaugural speech when he underscored that "To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West --- know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy." Now becoming forewarning from that day forward, since the past can only be considered mistake by those who may have committed them for good or bad reasons, especially within under-developed and developing societies where the democratic concept is still not fully construed, at least it has been loudly resounded with caution now to be taken by those who believe in the destruction of societies for no apparent reasons other than self-glorification and aggrandizements.

Misconstrued it may be in minute quarters, perhaps also out of inabilities to conceptualize the workings of geo-politics, although far from the reach of this columnist, it can be unshakably stated that as an acknowledged witness to power since the last three decades in Liberia, considered Africa's oldest republic, the destructive path has continued to be wrongly viewed as the best way to clinging to power, most times resulting to very short tenures, as opposed the democratic path. Worst is that individuals choosing such ungodly trend have often end up amassing wealth at the expense of taxpayers, with thesocio-economic aspirations of the people left dampened, employing various means in cajoling them.

Factual that positive development is not an overnight affair but must be gradual, with full participation of the people in the decision-making process, the tenure of the late 18th President of Liberia, Dr. William V.S. Tubman, is vividly recalled, as infantile witness, to have recorded processes leading to infrastructural development as pillar in the gradual achievements of positive results in other sectors directly impacting the lives of mainly local communities and peoples, although systematically. Pursued later following his demise in 1971 by his successor, the late Rev. Dr. William Richard Tolbert, Jr., with refinements made in some policies to cope with existing realities, it certainly appeared building upon the firm foundation of his predecessor, just as the Republic was begun under its first President, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, metamorphosing into activities of the late 18th and 19th industrious leaders of our time.

Amidst the attraction of more foreign investments to Liberia, relatively unprecedented in recent decades, Liberia's involvement with multilateral and bilateral example, by its interactions with the African Development Bank (ADB), Africa's pride, as regards development assistance. institutions had proven appreciably cordial, as evidenced, for example, by its interactions with the African Development Bank (ADB), Africa's pride, as regards development assistance.

A hindsight view of lending to the Republic of Liberia by the ADB, established in the 1970s, during the tenure of the late President Tolbert, totaled US$22.6 million, recording projects involving the Tubman Bridge, Gbarnga-Ganta-Totota highways, the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Decoris Oil Palm and the Monrovia Water Supply, between the period 1975-79, just four years. Physically present as these projects have proven with great impact made on the lives of the population, one ought to now fully realize why within a democratic dispensation, it requires proper planning of development projects void of politicking and prestigious undertakings, in order to have them fully implemented in before or in time.

Also, an overview of lending between the periods 1981-1984, under the late President Samuel Kanyon Doe, provides vivid picture of the US$68.2 million provided Liberia by the Bank Group, an increase of 50.22 per cent over previous lending, indicating projects such as the National Iron Ore Company (NIOC), Line of Credit, two standard roads (undefined), Glass Container, Kakata-Totota Road and Elementary Training (unspecified). Whatever impact these projects may have had and continue to have on the lives of the population remains purely the evaluation of development specialists and the population, although among the true witnesses that the late President had begun worthwhile projects in the latter years before the civil crisis, witnessing the construction of ministries and banking institutions.

Against the backdrop of the nearly 14 years of civil conflict in the nation, requiring largely humanitarian and other support to its people and e during chaotic situations. residents from organizations, institutions and friendly nations, even if unrecorded about the many bridges, latrines, roads, clinics, wells and other infrastructures constructed, reasons are quite obvious not to recount leaderships of the crisis period, since lending is never possible during chaotic situations.

National reconstruction however becoming the major challenge of the democratically-elected government of President Ellen Johnson Sirelaf, requiring careful planning for unhindered implementation, the last three years of her seemingly first tenure have indeed witnessed the administration's serious engagements in the re-establishment of cordial ties with traditional allies and institutions, earning the nation an unprecedented reward within the financial and economic sector, even before unleashing the physical socio-economic development throughout the coming three years.

Debt waivers to Liberia by multilateral and bilateral institutions remain highly significant in the administration's desire to better improving the lives of the population.

As if a teacher's mathematics manual that often contain samples of problems and solutions, the former has featured the past three years with the latter now taking on true outlook, as is being led by the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) with the construction and reconstruction of roads, bridges and other infrastructures, intended to stimulate the population in fully participating into socio-economic programs in local communities to speed up the economic recovery process. Assured already by US President Obama and other friendly governments, organizations and institutions of support towards its reconstruction efforts, something that Ambassador Greenfield has begun decisively championing, the Liberian people and nation need to now adopt new values bordering on "honesty and hardwork, courage and Sirleaf's administration.

fairplay, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism," as openly resounded in the maiden speech of the American President, with the march thereto already begun by President Sirleaf's administration. The putting into place of a Governance Commission, Anti Corruption Commission, General Auditing Commission and regulation of civil servants through the full reactivation of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) unwaveringly committed to reintroducing a meritorious system to encourage productivity in the public sector, are just but few that citizens and residents must fully embrace.

Fruits thereof have seen the regular payment of salaries of civil servants, thus reshaping those of the private sector that the former had once competed with in assuring good governance practices, specifically the dignity of labor. Better still and given events of our recent history, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) becomes the proper venue in returning to 'truth' and departing from 'falsehood' that immensely contributed to the many anomalies witnessed in the past.

Rightly stated by Mr. Gerry Spence, a renowned trial attorney and writer of the United States, that "A man who doesn't keep his word is no man," let us march from this day forward to a new Liberia from of vices that have tended to make the Liberian people appear uncivilized, uncultured and lazy, with the latter making most mere beggars and criminals in the land, though with proclaimed faith in the Almighty God who is the Creator of the universe. The ADB's role in development financing bordered on good and not bad governance simply seeks to support the current drive and aspirations of the vast majority of the Liberian people, thus once more reconciling them as a people with one destiny.