President Joseph N. Boakai has disclosed that his government has begun undertaking a 783.5 kilometer road construction in eleven counties.
The Liberian leader named Bong, Lofa, Bomi, Gbarpolu, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, Rivergee, Grand Bassa, Sinoe, Maryland, and Grand Kru as counties that have been earmarked for the road construction.
Speaking about his 100-day deliverables on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia, the President said a key target for the government’s deliverables for the first 100 days was the reconditioning of roads to ensure that they are pliable to create access and boost economic activities.
President Boakai narrated, “The Ministry of Public Works has been undertaking major road corridor projects totaling about 783.5 km in Bong, Lofa, Bomi, Gbarpolu, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, Rivergee, Grand Bassa, Sinoe, Maryland, and Grand Kru Counties.”
“To date, contractors, equipment and logistics have been heavily mobilized, and active work such as clearing, grading, shaping, and stabilization of critical spots, identification of culvert lines, and borrowing pits for material testing along all corridors are ongoing.” he explained.
He said that maintenance zones for equipment and road crew have been identified to ensure roads are maintained all year round.
“I am pleased to report that as a result of these interventions, we are receiving reports from citizens that travel time between counties has substantially been reduced,” President Boakai indicated.
Meanwhile, the Liberian leader narrated that when his government was ushered in one hundred days ago, it was against the backdrop of a people and country wanting a responsive government that would bring much relief from years of deprivation, indignity, and insecurity.
“As a government, we started this journey together with the faith that we can face and address our difficulties, course correct and set a path for a transformed future,” Boakai said.
He noted that given the urgency to provide immediate relief to millions of Liberians during the first quarter of the year, his government launched a 100-day deliverables plan.
President Boakai said, “In this plan, we considered addressing urgent needs by intervening in critical sectors. These interventions, implemented by the various ministries, agencies, and commissions (MACs), were informed by the following key objectives: First, the need to ensure accountability in the public sector was a major objective underpinning service delivery in the first 100 days.”
He stated that addressing transparency and accountability in the public sector by undertaking robust anti-graft measures, including strengthening financial oversight, and promoting ethical practices across all sectors to combat corruption, was seen as a critical step to removing barriers.
“Second, as citizens of this country continue to be confronted with the seemingly perennial problems of poor roads and accessibility, addressing infrastructure needs was a priority objective of this plan,” The President disclosed.
The President noted that focusing on the maintenance of major road corridors, improving sanitation service, providing critical meteorological equipment, and upgrading ICT systems at the only international airport in the country was considered a major attempt at bringing relief to citizens.
