Monrovia- Public Works Minister Ruth Coker-Collins has signed a contract with the China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG) for the pavement of the 61Km Saclepea-Tappita road project.
The Saclepia-Tappita project is being financed by the government of Liberia and its sponsors, the World Bank, and partners and cost US$ 53.76 million.
The project was signed on Thursday by Public Works Minister Ruth Coker-Collins and China Railway Seventh Group representative, Mr. Wang Bo. It is expected to start in few days.
According to Acting-Minster Ruth Coker-Collins, the signing ceremony for the rehabilitation of the Saclepea-Tappita road is a ‘great joy for the people of Nimba County, the South-East corridor and Liberia at-large.
“The 61Km road, when completed will link the Tappita Referral Hospital and will be a great impact in linking Nimba, Grand Gedeh, and River Gee Counties,” she said.
She further assured the Liberian people that going forward her team will work closely to monitor the performance of contractors.
“I’m aware that in time past, we have had some challenges in monitoring our works, but I want to assure the Liberian people that going forward, supervising and monitoring the projects will be our highest priorities to make sure our partners and the Government of Liberia of whatever they have spent will be fully utilized,” she added.
For his part, Mr. Wang Bo, the China Railway Seventh Group Representative reaffirmed his group’s commitment to do good work and build a hard standard road that will last longer.
“We want to thank the Ministry of Public Works and all the departments for affording our company the trust and support by giving us the 61Km Saclepea-Tappita road project, we hereby assured the Liberian government a quality and high standard road work,” Wang Bo said.
The public works Infrastructure Implementation Unit Program Manager, Engineer Emmanuel Baker, said the project is being financed by the World Bank as the administrator of Liberia’s reconstruction trust fund, along with the United Kingdom through its development agency fund, the Germane KFW, and the European Union at large.
He said the project is expected to last for 36 months and will be implemented by the Ministry of Public Works through its infrastructure implementation unit as well as the Ministry of Finance through the project financial management unit.
The World Bank Country Manager, Mr. Khwima Nthara, in remarked said it was a great privileged and honor to have observed the signing ceremony of the contract document for the rehabilitation of the 61Km Saclepea-Tappita road project which is co-sponsored by the World Bank.
He recounted that during the groundbreaking ceremony by President Weah last year for the rehabilitation of the road from Ganta to Saclepea at the ceremony, he mentioned that funding has already been identified for the road extension from Saclepea to Tappita and the financing agreement for the project was signed last year June 16 by World Bank and the Government of Liberia.
“I’m now pleased to see that the Government through the Public Works have moved in very quickly to secure a contractor for the start of the actual work,” Mr. Nthara said.
Making remarks, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public works, Senator Edwin Snowe thanked Minister Ruth Coker-Collins and her team, and assured his Committee’s cooperation in working with the Ministry.
Also speaking, the 54th Legislature House Committee on public works chairman, Hon. Matthew Joe in remarked reassured his committee commitment in working with the ministry of public works through road connectivity in other for the Liberian people to receive development.