MONROVIA – Liberia’s Minister of Public Works Ruth Coker-Collins has outlined reasons for the stalling and abandonment of many infrastructural development projects under the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) led-government of President George Manneh Weah.
According to her, the lack of adequate finances and the emergence of the COVID 19 pandemic, which greatly affected Liberia, contributed to the time-wasting and desertion of roads and other projects in the country.
Though Minister Collins did not name a particular project that was abandoned or stalled as a result of the pandemic or lack of adequate financial support, she stated that significant efforts were however applied by the government and its partners, including the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), ECOWAS, among others to carry out various development projects across the country.
She made these comments at a news conference held at the Ministry of Public Works in Monrovia on Thursday, January 18.
She disclosed that since taking over the mantle of authority, the Ministry of Public Works under her stewardship, made significant strides in improving the road sector in Liberia and carried out key reforms at the Ministry and the road sector in general along with her team at the ministry.
On the 45km RIA Road Project being executed by East International, Minister Collins pointed out that satisfactory progress of 5km paved out of the 15km section from the ELWA Junction towards the RIA; and 3km on the Left-hand Side paved out of the 10km section from the RIA towards the ELWA Junction.
She said a physical progress on the rehabilitation of the Robertsport to Madina Road (42km) is at 15% completion.
“While the Ministry of Public Works is heavily engaged with construction of roads, the Ministry could not sort out all of the challenges within six years of this administration. Key among those challenges was financial. The COVID pandemic and climate change situation also led to many projects being stalled and, in some instances, abandoned.
Minister Collins maintained that construction of the Freeport-St Paul Bridge (6.5KM) is ongoing and being done by MDMC and supervised by the ministry, while a contract has been signed with Qijoe Construction for the Bali Island Access Road (3.3M) project.
She noted that a contract has been signed with Afro Construction for the construction of the Vahun Bridge in Lofa County, with physical progress of the project at 20.2% completed, while the construction of the Kendeja Beach Road has already been completed by Sidani.
For the construction of the Dokota River Bridge in Gbarpolu County, Minister Collins reported that a contract has been signed with the Arrow Group of Companies, and the physical progress of the project is at 22.4% completed.
Speaking further, Minister Collins pointed out that from January 2018 to December 2023, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) led-government of President Weah paved about 96.4km of community, urban and city streets roads in Montserrado, Bong, Grand Bassa, Margibi, Sinoe, Gbarpolu, and Grand Kru counties out of 171.8km earmarked.
She named some of the roads as: Tusa Field – U Curve (2.6km), New Georgia Gulf – Barnesville Estate Area F (2.3km), Sections of the Caldwell – Diggsville Road (1.25km), ELWA Rehab Community Roads (5.0 km), Gbarnga Broad Street (1km), Chugbor Road (1.2km), Buchanan Fair Ground (1.5km), Rehab Community Road (0.7km), Small St. Michael – Town Hall – Patient Shop (2.5km), Duazon Sand Beach Asphalt Pavement Road (1.7km), Sophie Road (1.4km), Soul Clinic Road (1.5km), and Peace Island 540 Road (1.5km), Waiver Street (0.37km), Bonjal Community Road (0.47km), ELWA R2 Community Asphalt Pavement Road (1.2km), and VOA ELWA Community Asphalt Pavement Road (1.5km).
Others are: Manatema Road (1.9km), Cooper Farm Jangaba Road (1.3km), Morris’ Farm (3.2km), Banjor Community Road (2.5km), Nickley Town Road (0.1km), ELWA Rehab Community Roads Extension (2.70km), Key Hole Community Road (1.20km), Kissi Camp Community Road (0.38km), Marshall Road Project (5.0km), Cooper Farm Rehab Road (0.50km), Deelia Kids Corner School Road (1.16km), Pipeline Road (6.50km), Chucky Taylor Road Arch Bishop Michael Francis Road (1.8 km), Voka Mission Roads (1.8km), Logan Town Broad Street (1.8km), Dry Rice Market, Johnsonville – Mount Barclay (11.1km), Johnsonville – Mt. Coffee Water Plant (1.5km), Doe Community (2.7km), 14th Military (1.8km), River View St Paul Bride – Hotel Africa Road (1.5km), 12 Houses Bypass Road (2.0km), and 24 Street Community Beach Side Road (1km).
The rest are: Weaver Street Methodist Church – Police Academy Road (0.8km), Cow Field Road (0.8km), Benson Hospital Road (0.8km), St Kizito Red Light Road (0.8km), Duaka Road Opposite ELWA Hospital Junction – GSA Road (2.5km), ELWA ABC Road (2.5km), VOA R2 Community Road (2.5km), and Barclayville City Streets Chip Sealing (2.5km).
“When we inherited these projects, our focus was completion. We saw that the development of roads was about continuity, as such we were not focused on initiating what could be called “Signature projects” but instead reached development to places that contract have already been signed as envisage by H.E Dr. George Manneh M. Weah.”
She disclosed that despite the completion of these projects, road challenges of Liberia runs from Montserrado to Cape Mount, Bong to Lofa, Nimba to Grand Gedeh, Maryland to Grand Kru and from Sinoe to Rivercess.
World Bank Projects
As Minister of Public Works, she maintained that the government, through the Ministry of Public Works, with funding from the World Bank, also initiated some major roads and community roads in various localities.
She named those projects as the rehabilitation and expansion of Coca Cola Factory to ELWA Junction Road Section (6.1km) with 5.99 km paved, the design of roundabout at ELWA Junction completed. The construction has started and will be completed in the first quarter, 2024.
She added that the project affected persons have been compensated and funds allocation to address impact on petty traders in the environs of Red Light identified.
On the rehabilitation of the Ganta – Saclepea Road (39km), Minister Collins stated that the government has achieved a milestone as evidenced by the asphalt binder course of 20km and Asphalt wearing course, 16km paved out of 39km.
She said alternative plan to commence work on SECRAMP was discussed between the Liberian government and IDA as part of the August 2020 mission.
According to her, government was committed to frontload a total of US$36.4 million under the National Road Fund (NRF) allocation, to intervene during the 2020/2021 construction season on the 39km road section between Ganta and Saclepea using Limited International Bidding (LIB) method to procure contractor and consultant.
On the rehabilitation of Saclepea – Tappita Road Section (61km), Minister Collins claimed that the physical progress achieved on the project is about 21% including the completion of mobilization, camp site construction, clearing/grubbing-37km; subgrade preparation- 15km; 6 sub-base preparation – 24km; Pipe culverts – 41 nos. out of 96 installed; Box culverts, 10 nos. out of 14 installed. The Project Affected Persons have been compensated, including Abbreviated RAP additional PAPs, mainly covering compensation for graves and economic crops completed for submission to World Bank. The project was jointly funded by GOL and LRTF.
Minister Collins noted that procurement process and works contract signature of Tappita to Toe Town Road Section (40km) which was implemented by Public Works in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture and approved by the World Bank Board in December 2021 was signed on August 18, 2023, while negotiation for conduct of Biodiversity Field Survey (BFS) is in progress.
According to her, disbursement to the contract is expected to follow after the conduct and completion of the BFS. The Biodiversity Field Survey will take four to six months.
She said the preparation, appraisal, negotiations and World Bank’s Board Approval of the RETRAP- 2nd -AF Rehabilitation of Ivorian Border to Toe Town to Zwedru Road Section (85km) has already been achieved, but effectiveness conditions including the signing of financing agreement, ratification by the National Legislature and issuance of legal opinion by the Ministry of Justice are the required next steps.
Minister Collins pointed out that on the upgrading of the Ganta to Sanniquellie Road Section (37km), she didn’t sign the contract but met progress at 25%.
She said the project which has been completed by CHICO and CSE from Senegal as Consultant is ready for dedication.
She emphasized that the ministry will need to engage with the management of Arcelor Mittal Steel on funding requirement for Phase 2, which is the remaining rehabilitation of the 30km between Saniquellie and Yekepa.
“On the upgrading of Gbarnga to Salayea Road Project (81km) – Baseline Status, I didn’t sign contract but inherited work at 24%. Current status is at 94.4%, 67km out of 81km fully asphalt paved. The project is funded by GOL and ARAB Donors).”
On the preparation of the Road Sector Development Plan (RSDP) which was developed and validated in May 2023 with funding from the World Bank, Minister Collins pointed out that the document is a framework for guiding prioritized road transport infrastructure investment in Liberia over a ten-year period.
She, however, called for the document to be implemented by the incoming government.
AfDB Projects
As for projects being funded by the AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (AfDB), Minister Collins said the pavement of the Fish Town to Kelipo (20km) status has been achieved including the signing of civil works contract and commencement of works, and physical progress is at 64.84% completed.
She indicated that contract has already been signed for the pavement of Sanniquellie to Loguatuo 47.1 KM road project. Though she met the contract completed about 31%, it is now completed about 70%.
She said the Roadside Market Construction – Karnplay City contract has been signed and completed at 27%, while Kilipo to Zwedru detailed engineering design and feasibility studies consultancy services have begun.
On the construction of the Cavalla Bridge, Minister Collins disclosed that the designs have been completed and there is an ongoing procurement of construction contractor.
According to her, there is an also an ongoing negotiation for the construction of the Coastal Corridor from Buchanan to Cestos; Cestos Junction to Greenville; Greenville to Barclayville; Barclayville to Pleebo.
Minister Collins, however, appreciated President Weah for the confidence reposed in her to serve.
“I want to say a very big thank you to all of our implementing partners including the Ministry of Finance & Development Planning, the National Road Fund and its Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC), the World Bank, African Development Bank, Arab Donors (BADEA; SFD; OFID; KFAED), EU, European Investment Bank (EIB), ECOWAS Bank for Investment & Development (EBID), UK Government, our Contractors, especially our Liberian Contractors, etc. for their support to the development of our infrastructures, especially our road infrastructure. Moreover, bravo to the Liberian people for their support during the many days of discharging my duties and responsibilities as Minister of Public Works.”
