MONROVIA – Mrs. Joseta Neufville-Wento, Manager of the National Road Fund has been appointed to the Executive Board Committee of the Africa Road Maintenance Fund Association (ARMFA).
The appointment of Mrs. Neufville-Wento happened at the 21st General Assembly in Abidjan, Ivory Coast last week. She will serve as the chairperson of West Africa, alongside representatives from the Central African Republic, Angola, and Uganda, covering each of their respective African regions.
The primary goal of this committee is to devise a strategic plan aimed at enhancing membership fees payments, addressing the reasons for non-payments, and revising rules and principles related to membership fees to ensure a more inclusive and robust association.
According to a release, during the conference, the General Assembly considered and deliberated on the information provided and resolved to exclude the defaulted members from the membership fee reporting list, develop a strategy for membership fee.
This strategy will address membership fee payment methods, reasons for non-payments, rules and principles pertaining membership fees, and appoint a committee to develop this strategy.
On this committee, Liberia serves as chairperson representing the WAFG, Central African Republic representing the CAFG, Angola representing the SAFG and Uganda representing the EAFG. The Committee is tasked to submit a proposal strategy at the next AGM through the recommendation of EXCO.
The Africa Road Maintenance Fund Association seeks to promote a network for exchange of experiences and information on good practices in the financing of road maintenance in Africa, promote sound management of road maintenance funds and an efficient public/private partnership – best conditions for the mobilization of resources for road maintenance, strengthen cooperation with partners in development and to ensure the sustainability and the harmonious development of RMF.
Meanwhile, the NRF has welcomed the appointment of its boss to the Board as a significant milestone in its strides towards financing and maintaining road infrastructure across Liberia.
This year’s gathering marked the ARMFA 21st General Assembly, and was held from the 13th to the 16th of May. The four-day event brought together over 255 delegates, including road fund managers, diplomats, international press, engineers, and foreign business (technical and financial) worldwide, representing 35 countries. They discussed sustainable funding, innovation in revenue generation, strengthening administrative structures by non-politicizing the fund, and sharing knowledge and experience on best practices.
The delegation from Liberia was led by the Manager of the NRF, Mrs. Joseta Neufville-Wento; Mr. Roland Layfette-Giddings, Minister of Public Works and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC) of the NRF; Senator Francis Dopoh of River Gee; and Mr. John H. Tokpah, administrator of the NRF.
During the opening ceremony of the 21st general assembly, Robert Beugré Mambé, the governor of Abidjan, graced the event and urged technicians “to create a beautiful Africa.” Referencing the progress Ivory Coast has made and continues to make in beautifying their city to attract tourism.
The general assembly sets its focus on road safety, pavement protection, and the introduction of the axle load control systems and toll. Road funds across Africa were encouraged to utilize public-private partnerships to improve the quality of roads and bridges.
Mrs. Neufville-Wento stated that the Liberian delegation plans to utilize discussions to enhance the quality of road data and boost revenue through proper maintenance and planning without any constraints.
On the sidelines of the assembly, Mrs. Wento and Minister Giddings engaged peers from different countries aimed at transforming road infrastructure in Liberia, in line with President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST agenda.
President Boakai recognizes road connectivity as a crucial infrastructure for Liberia’s development. He underscores that the “absence of well-built roads and related infrastructure significantly contributes to rural neglect. “The presence of high-quality paved roads and railways will unlock the potential of both our agriculture and tourism sectors, stimulate commerce and industry, and enhance livelihoods nationwide.”
Mrs. Wento firmly believes these efforts are aimed at supporting President Boakai’s vision, to which the NRF remains committed. Mrs. Wento acknowledges the correlation between road infrastructure and economic growth, as roads directly facilitate the provision of essential services required for Liberia’s productive activities, such as agricultural production and industry.
The National Road Fund and the Ministry of Public Works seek new opportunities to finance and optimize road quality at the ARMFA Conference in Abidjan.
