Just days after Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah told Liberians that the government has announced plans to return 35 earth-moving machines, commonly called “Yellow machines,” back to China, President Joseph N. Boakai has announced the nationwide deployment of a new fleet of government-owned yellow machines, marking a decisive step toward ending decades of poor road maintenance and seasonal isolation across Liberia.
Speaking Monday, January 26, 2026, during his third address to the nation since taking office, President Boakai revealed that SCARF 285 yellow machines procured by the government last year are now actively in service and will be stationed at county hubs to support continuous road maintenance and emergency response.
The President said the equipment will play a critical role in ensuring year-round access to major and feeder roads, particularly during the rainy season when communities are often cut off from markets, hospitals, and schools. “These assets will support our road maintenance efforts and form a crucial part of our disaster response preparedness across the country, stressing that road connectivity is not a slogan but a commitment of his administration,” Boakai told lawmakers.
According to him, the deployment comes as the government reports significant gains in road infrastructure, including the maintenance of over 780 kilometers of major roads and an increase in Liberia’s paved road network from under 12 percent to 20 percent in just a few years. The President disclosed that several key corridors have already benefited, improving connectivity between communities such as Sanniquellie to Ganta, Tappita to Zwedru, and the Buchanan Greenway, easing transportation costs and reducing hardship for ordinary citizens.
By decentralizing the machines to county hubs, Boakai said that the government aims to reduce delays caused by equipment shortages and eliminate the long-standing dependence on private contractors for basic road upkeep. Also, he added that the initiative also strengthens Liberia’s disaster response capacity, ensuring faster intervention during floods, landslides, and other emergencies that frequently damage road infrastructure.
