The Government of Liberia says major roads across the country will be accessible and pliable before next rainy season in 2025.
By Lewis S. Teh
Monrovia, Liberia, October 23, 2024 Following heavy criticism about government’s failure to fulfil its hundred days’ deliverables, the Ministry of Public Works announces here that major roads will be pliable and accessible before next rainy season begins in 2025.
Minister Roland L. Giddings assures, “I can say to you that as we approach the dry season before the next raining season, our roads will be in better condition than they are now.”
He made the pronouncement during a press conference at the Ministry on Lynch Street in Monrovia on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, as you may be aware, the Ministry of Public Works has signed up to the open government initiative, and as such, this conference today reflects our commitment to being open and to update the public about our work because there is absolutely nothing to hide here; we don’t keep secrets here.”
He calls on the media to bring all information about road work across Liberia to their attention.
According to him, an assessment has been carried out over the hundred days, and road maintenance work started in April and continued until the dry season, disclosing that over 70% of the work has been done.
Deputy Public Works Minister Jocelia J. Tarplah, in a PowerPoint presentation, says the ministry has been robust in meeting the public’s expectations.
He explains that the ministry is working across several corridors, especially in rural and urban areas, to address drainage issues.
“The problem the people facing with drainages in various communities isn’t the problem we face as a government.
But to address that, we will embark on a robust community engagement with the people, where they themselves will suggest what needs to be done to solve the drainage system problem,” Deputy Minister Tarplah continues.
She notes that citizens in some communities prefer to pay money to disadvantaged youths to carry their garbage rather than waste management institutions, something she says it gives rise to problems in some communities.
She reveals that as of yesterday, Tuesday, the ministry has hired the first consultant to do feasibility studies. She says that before you carry out any project that affects the public, you must know the environmental social impact assessment or ESIA.
She underscores, “We are going to embark on drainage cleaning; that’s the major short-term intervention that is needed now, but if it requires ESIA, then it will have to wait until the feasibility studies are conducted because we have to know where the water will be going and who it will displace.”
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister for Planning Abraham Bility heads the government demolition exercise and says the Ministry has begun a robust demolition to commence construction works early next year.
Bility explains that the project affects occupants in the corridor, where two overhead bridges are to be constructed. Still, residents and occupants had been informed earlier of this exercise after a series of engagements with the Ministry.
“So this is where we are; our people are aware that the ministry is in full readiness, and we call on citizens, especially those in the alley, to cooperate with us.”
The Government of Liberia, through assistance from the People’s Republic of China, has embarked on exercises here to construct overhead bridges in the main route leading to Monrovia to ease traffic congestion. Editing by Jonathan Browne
