The Washington Post quotes CGD senior fellow Steve Radelet on the the role of investment in Liberia's reconstruction.
From the article:
"Sirleaf but is not involved in the Kendeja project, said security will be a major factor in Liberia's recovery. Still, large projects like Johnson's and the $30 million fund help signal that the country is open for business.
'It's not like all the bad guys just disappeared. They're still there. A lot of them,' Radelet said. 'But the more people invest, the more jobs are created. . . . The more jobs that are created, the safer the environment is for everybody.'
Accessibility is an issue for the Kendeja resort, Johnson acknowledged. The hotel will meet U.S. State Department security standards, but the nearest airport, Roberts Field, is not up to Federal Aviation Administration standards and no U.S. carriers fly into it. (The resort will feature tennis courts that can be converted into a helipad in case of emergency.)"