The Government of Liberia announces a plan for a 273-kilometer coastal road project targeting the country’s southeast.
By: Kruah Thompson
Monrovia, Liberia, January 8, 2025 – The Government of Liberia, in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), is set to commence construction of a 273-kilometer coastal road connecting Buchanan, Cestos, and Greenville in southeast Liberia.
Deputy Minister for Public Affairs at the Ministry of Information, Daniel O. Sando, disclosed this in a regular press briefing on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
Minister Sando highlights the project’s potential to enhance road connectivity, boost regional development, and improve transportation and economic opportunities in the country’s southeast.
“The project’s initial focus will include a 74-kilometer stretch from Buchanan to Cestos Bridge and a 31-kilometer section from Cestos Junction to Cestos City. Pre-construction activities, such as environmental and social impact assessments and developing a Resettlement Action Plan, are currently underway.” He reveals.
According to him, from January 7 to 16, the Ministry of Public Works will conduct property identification, socio-economic assessments, and valuations along the designated road corridor, which covers a 75-foot right of way in rural areas and 50 feet in urban zones.
Sando encourages affected property owners to engage in the process to ensure fair compensation and assistance. He also announces plans to establish a grievance redress mechanism (GRM) to address concerns and ensure transparency throughout the project.
In addition to improving road safety and transportation efficiency, he notes the project is expected to unlock significant economic potential in the region, fostering greater trade and mobility and tackling the Energy Deficit with a New Hydropower Initiative.
He also discloses a landmark agreement with Art of Energy Africa, a Ghana-based energy consulting firm, to address Liberia’s energy deficit.
He says, signed in late 2024, the partnership will conduct comprehensive studies along a 193-kilometer stretch of the St. John River Basin to identify hydropower development opportunities.
“The findings will form the basis for multiple hydroelectric plants aimed at expanding Liberia’s renewable energy capacity. Supported by the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Authority, the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to achieving long-term energy security and sustainability.’
Meanwhile, the deputy minister adds that these infrastructure and energy projects represent key components of Liberia’s broader strategy to drive economic growth and improve living standards across the country. Editing by Jonathan Browne
