GoL, Partners Launch Several Road Projects

By Alex Yomah
The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Public Works, the African Development Bank (ADB) and the European Union[RU] yesterday November 25, 2019, launched phase(ii) of the multinational [Liberia/cote d’Ivoire], Mano River Union Road Development and Transportation facilitation programme in Liberia.
The phase[ii] road project that is worth $87.87 United states dollars is intended to pave Sanniquellie- Loguatuo Road 47.1km; construct the bridge at Loguatou[Nuor River]; construct a joint border post weigh station at Loquatou; pave Fish-two –Kelip 20km road.
In remarks, Mr. Abdul A. Bangura, Principal Country Program Officer for African Development Bank and proxy for ADB Country Manager Dr. Orison Amu, said with the total estimated US$87.87 million for the road project, over 48% of the total cost of the second phase is covered by the ADB.
Mr. Bangura also explained that the rest of the financing is jointly supported by the European Union in the tune of EUR 20.20 million.
According to the African Development Bank authority, the programme will be implemented from November 2019 to June 2023, and the programme Roads are expected to be in use in 2022.
“This second phase consolidates road rehabilitation efforts so far and will boost economic recovery in the two countries. It will provide for the asphalting of 67.1km of road between Fish Town and Kelip [20km] and between Sanniquellie and Loguatuo [47.1km, and the construction of two markets, water facilities and latrines along the same roads.
“The construction of a joint control post and a bridge linking Cote D’IVoire and Liberia is also planned, which would reduce transport costs, ease the free movement of people and goods, promote regional trade and overall, improve the living standards of about 790,000 people.
“Another expected positive outcome will be 800 new jobs over the next 2-3 years for 100 traders, 60 of them women who will also receive training in bookkeeping. The programme will also increase job prospects for ten young graduate technicians and engineers employed in training sites related to the programme, “he said.
Also speaking, Head of Sector Infrastructure for EU-Delegation, Mrs. Stefanla Marrone, said the EUs funds the phase [ii] of road project with a total envelope or more than $40m EURO , which she said represents around 50% of the total cost of the project.
“To gather this significant amount, we are using different financing instruments: a grant of 20.2 million Euro is funded by the 11th European Development Fund- coming respectively from the envelopes of the EU/Liberia National indicative programme, and of the EU/ECOWAS regional indicative programme, while the European Investment bank has issued a loan of $ 20 million EURO ,” she said.
According to her, the remaining 50% will be co-financed by the African Development Bank, who is also the financing institution having the overall responsibility for the implementation of the project, while the government of Liberia is contributing with US$1.9 million for repaying the resettlement action plan.
Speaking on behalf of the government of Liberia, Public Works Minister, Mabotu Vlah Nyenpan, applauded the EU and ADB for their unremitting supports to Liberia especially to the Pro-Poor Agenda.
Cataloguing the African Development Bank supports to Liberia, Minister Nyenpan said, ABD has provided over $300 million United States dollars for Liberia’s developments purposes.
He also hailed the European Union for buttressing government Pro-poor agenda there by investing in all sectors of the government.
He said despite economic challenges, this government has fixed more roads in relatively short period of time than any government-thus demonstrating his quest to “ROAD-ROAD-ROAD” development as captured in the CDC-led Government plan.