Monrovia – The Government of Liberia, in its Draft National Budget for Fiscal Year 2025, has allocated US$98 million to fund critical development interventions under the ARREST-Specific Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP). This allocation, which may be supplemented by a contingency budget, highlights a significant focus on infrastructure development, particularly in the road sector.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
According to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, of the US$98 million, a substantial US$52.9 million has been earmarked for road projects, including the rehabilitation of rural roads and the construction of bailey bridges nationwide. Key projects include the continuation of the Saclepea-Zwedru segment under the SECRAMP project, the Sanniquellie-Loguatuo highway, and the Salayea-Beyan Town section of the Gbarnga-Mendikorma highway—projects that have faced delays for years.
“No Car Will Be Stuck” Initiative
An additional US$15 million has been set aside for the “No Car Will Be Stuck” initiative under the Pliable Roads Program. This initiative aims to ensure that city streets, community roads, and farm-to-market roads remain accessible year-round, particularly during the rainy season. Communities benefiting from this program are slated to receive coal tar-paved roads.
The Ministry, in the statement said beyond road construction, the PSIP allocation will fund several other critical infrastructure projects including Bridge to Bridge Project – rehabilitation of the road between Gabriel Tucker Bridge and St. Paul’s Bridge.
Its other projects include the Roberts International Airport Upgrade: modernizing facilities to improve Liberia’s primary gateway, expansion of the Liberia Broadcasting System: ensuring LNTV is accessible in all 15 county capitals and the energy Projects that will see the extension of electricity to rural communities.
Agriculture Transformation
In the budget, the government also allocated US$7 million under the PSIP for agriculture initiatives as part of the ARREST Agenda. This funding, the ministry noted, will focus on boosting research, enhancing extension services for producers, and driving value addition through processing, storage, and distribution. “The goal is to create a vibrant agricultural value chain that increases productivity, reduces reliance on imports, and expands Liberia’s agricultural export potential,” the ministry said.
Education and Digital Transformation
The FY 2025 budget also prioritizes education, with US$5.3 million allocated for critical interventions. This includes US$2.9 million for renovating and expanding school facilities for the Ministry of Education, the Monrovia Consolidated School System, and Booker Washington Institute.
In the Draft National Budget for FY 2025, the Government of Liberia has dedicated the significant sum of US$98 million to fund critical development interventions in its ARREST-Specific Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) projects. This amount could be supplemented by contingency budget. Of the US$98 million, US$52.9 million has been exclusively allocated to cover road projects already earmarked.
Ministry of Finance & Development Planning
The government has also committed US$600,000 to the Digital Transformation Program to advance educational technology initiatives, alongside US$1 million for strengthening the school feeding program to promote nutrition and boost school attendance.
Rule of Law and Health Sector
For the Rule of Law sector, US$3.7 million has been proposed to fund projects, including US$1.1 million for renovating military housing and police barracks on Horton Avenue. Additional funding will support the “Kush Must Go” anti-drug campaign, the Temple of Justice complex, and prison renovations. The Unity Party Alliance made the combat of illicit drugs a major priority during the campaign.
In the health sector, US$7.6 million has been allocated, with US$1.6 million dedicated to drug revolving funds and US$1.9 million for expanding capacity at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital. Other health priorities include reconstructing CH Rennie Hospital in Margibi County and upgrading Jackson F. Doe Memorial Hospital in Nimba County to a national referral facility.
Urban Sanitation
US$2.5 million has been set aside for the Clean Cities Campaign, focusing on solid waste management in Monrovia, Paynesville, and other county capitals. The Cheesemanburg landfill project is also included under this initiative.
A Step Forward
The Ministry noted that the FY 2025 budget demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing infrastructure gaps, boosting economic productivity, and improving service delivery across key sectors. With a heavy emphasis on roads, agriculture, health, and education, these interventions aim to drive sustainable development and improve the quality of life for Liberians nationwide.
