Acting Minister of Public Works, Ruth Coker-Collins, has vowed to maintain the South Eastern Road Corridor in the midst of the rainy season as part of the government’s effort to provide access to that part of Liberia.
The road leading to the east and southern part of the country is always deplorable mostly during the rainy season.
During such times, the corridor is often cut off because of bad road conditions which cause a hike in the prices of basic commodities, like rice and fuel, thus leading to a rise in the cost of living.
Coker-Collins stated that the government has put in place measures that will ensure routine maintenance work on the south eastern corridor throughout the rainy season and added that the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved US$53 million for the pavement of the 50 kilometers road from Putuken-John Davis Town Road corridor which will bring a major boost to the south and eastern corridor.
Coker-Collins lauded the AfDB for approving such funds for the pavement of the road project, citing that the amount will contribute immensely to the overall developmental agenda of the Government of Liberia.
She emphasized that the amount from the AfDB will also ensure that feasibility studies are carried out on the Voinjama-Menekoma Road corridor in Lofa County.
The minister hoped that the government would complete the conversation for the completion of the Toe’s Town- Zwedru Road corridor by 2023, bringing relief to residents in that part of the country.
Coker-Collins however revealed that about 80 kilometers of road pavement is ongoing on the Kelepo-Kaloken Road corridor in Rivercess County.
She stated further that there are 11 kilometers along the Kelepo-Karloken route which, according to her, the government is having conversation with partners, including the AfDB and the contractor, on how they can include the 11 kilometers left along that corridor.
The ministry then assured the public, especially people residing in the south and eastern part of the country, of a better road condition during the rainy season.
“The maintenance work by the Ministry of Public Works on the South-Eastern road corridors will ensure a better living condition for people of that locality,” she said.
“This maintenance work has the propensity of attracting investment to that part of Liberia, bringing direct and indirect economic dividends to the country and its people,” she added.
