Monrovia – Amid mounting public outcries on the slow pace of a US$5.2M Japanese grant to rehabilitate feeder roads connected to the main Robert International Airport highway, Public Works Minister, Gyude Moore says the government is sure of completing the project as it is expected to get underway soon.
In 2013, the Japanese gave a US$5.2 Million grant to the Liberian government for the rehabilitation of feeder roads connecting the RIA highway.
The grant was signed during the regime of former Public Works Minister Samuel Kofi Woods in 2013, in order to improve vehicular transport and pedestrian infrastructure from ELWA junction to Marshall City, Margibi County.
There has been mounting public outcries on the slow pace of the project with some accusing the ministry of misappropriating the money.
Addressing reporters Monday following a guided tour, Mr. Moore clarified that though the Japanese released US$ 2.2m to his predecessors but the work was stalled as a result of the Ebola crisis. Minister Moore has assured Liberians that despite the delay, government is confident of completing the feeder roads.
Public Works Minister Assures Japanese
He assured the Japanese government of utilizing the money given the Liberian government for the feeder roads project. He said full implementation will be carried out under his watch as minister, disclosing that it begins in September this year.
He called on media practitioners to stop the false reports about the Ministry of Public Works.
He said the continual false negative report reduces the confidence of donors and partners wanting to invest in projects in the country.
“I have a lot to do — my work will speak for itself. I am not going to waste my time responding to criticisms on the radio about me. Even though the constant false negative report about me will scare away investors and it will reduce the confidence of donors wanting to invest in projects here,” he noted.
During the tour, media institutions visited several offices, meeting heads of departments as well as directors who explained their various functions at the ministry.
Edwin G. Genoway, Jr [email protected]