By Bill W. Cooper
Public Works Minister-designate, Roland Giddings, has pledged to embark on a comprehensive review and audit of all road contracts by the former administration.
Giddings also outlined his vision to address Liberia’s road infrastructure crisis, starting with a comprehensive plan of his first 100 days in office, once confirmed by the Liberian Senate.
With Liberia’s road infrastructure falling into a state of disrepair over the years, President Boakai has recognized the urgent need for a systematic and transparent approach to effectively address the issue.
As part of his plans for Liberia’s infrastructural development, the Liberian leader has since placed more emphasis on road connectivity, with a vision to ensure that all capitals are connected.
During his confirmation hearing yesterday, Giddings also emphasized the importance of evaluating and assessing the existing road contracts to identify any anomalies, irregularities, or potential areas for improvement.
According to him, his decision stems from the fact that many road contracts have been problematic in the past, resulting in substandard construction, delayed projects, and ultimately, a failure to adequately serve the citizens of Liberia.
This, Giddings stressed, “So, distinguished Senators, if confirmed, I plan to initiate a thorough examination of each road contract. This process will involve comprehensive audits, including assessments of contractual stipulations, financial arrangements, project timelines, contractors’ performance, and compliance with established quality standards.”
“The objective is to ensure transparency, accountability, and adherence to all regulatory requirements in the implementation of road construction and rehabilitation projects,” he noted.
The Public Works Minister-designate further narrated that the audit process will prioritize the identification of contracts associated with long-standing issues or that have faced significant public scrutiny.
Giddings named the Roberts International Airport (RIA) to ELWA Junction, St. Paul Bridge to Duala, among others, as some of the major road contracts that will be reviewed and audited once confirmed.
These contracts, he added, will be extensively examined to determine if deviations from the agreed-upon contract terms have occurred, or if any form of corruption has impacted the project’s execution.
The Public Works Minister-designate further emphasized a clear determination to hold both contractors and government officials accountable for any malpractice or negligence uncovered during the audit.
Giving his plans for road connectivity across the country, Giddings noted that his road network investment program will focus on road investment, construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of existing and new roads.
Meanwhile, sustainable efforts will focus on road bridges, access low control management, road system, road safety, and institutional reform.
He mentioned that his leadership will also focus on outlining the Ministry of Public Works’ policy to improve management efficiency in the sector.
Giddings added, “We will also reinforce appropriate investment in roads and bridges to expand access across the country, which we are already doing, and we continue the pavement of high ways connecting county capitals to create access to the region.”
“We will pave highways that connect Liberia to neighboring countries, which form part of what we call the Trans West African Highways, and also construct primary and secondary roads in Liberia,” he maintained.
Meanwhile, Giddings also outlined plans aimed at ensuring the implementation of President Boakai’s policy statement of ‘No car will get stuck in the mud in my first hundred days as President’.
To actualize this assertion by the President, Giddings stated, “President Boakai announced that no car will get stuck in the mud, and if I am confirmed, I am challenged by that responsibility.”
“We have already started laying out on what we are going to do. The corridor that will need to be taken care of before the rain, and we are committed to this policy.
The corridor from Tappita to Zwedru, and from Zwedru to Kenebo is to be taken care of. The corridor from Salayea to Voinjama, and from Voinjama to Minikoma, to Foya will be addressed as well,” he said.
He also named the Grand Bassa, Cesto Junction, ITI, Greenville, and Brewerville to Gbarpolu as other major corridors that will be taken care of during the rainy season, once confirmed as Public Works Minister.
Giddings added, “So, the conditions that will be laid out in the contracts are what we will implement, and we will ensure that contractors will be placed on each of the listed corridor ensuring that it is playable for our people.”
“And the good thing is that we have done our contracts in a way that if a single car gets stuck in the mud, that contractor’s fund will be deducted to ensure that contractors live up to what they sign up to do,” he asserted.
