By Precious D. Freeman
The government through the Ministry of Public Works has ended its first meeting with some residents of the SKD Boulevard and Congo Town Communities where the construction of the two Kilometers and two overhead bridges are about to be constructed.
Making remarks on Friday, July 23, 2021, after the round table discussion at the Ministry of Public Works in Monrovia, the Director of the Environmental Social Safeguard Division, Amando G. Paye, said few years back the Ministry of Public Works carried on some initial appraisals at the designated areas and that, that assessment was meant to provide an idea on the level of impact that the two bridges would have caused the residents.
The Resettlement and Environmental Director noted that the main objectives of the first meeting with the residents was to officially explain about the project and to inform them about the Ministry’s final assignment on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 as President George Weah places roads connectivity on top of his Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) Policy.
Mr. Paye asserted that the government has obtained the approved design of the project and that will be used to actually identify those who will be affected as the results of the two overpass bridges that are nearing construction and after that, the government will begin the compensation process noting, “So right now, we have the approved design of the project and it is that design that we are going to use to identify those who will be affected as the results of the two bridges that will be constructed.”
He further stated that the government understands that the properties that are about to be demolished are privately owned and in order to do that, they have to discuss and seek the approval of the owners before any demolitions, stressing, “Basically, the meeting is to inform you all about the project and to tell you that the team will be on the field on Wednesday, July 28, to use the approval journal for the final marking.”
He said though it is difficult for the residents to allow their properties to be destroyed and to be taken to an unadoptable environment, from the huge attendance at the meeting, it shows a determination that the people are willing to accept the government’s mandate.
It can be recalled that on Thursday, July 9, at the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism’s (MICAT) regular press briefing, the Acting Minister of Public Works (MPW), Ruth Coker Collins, said the Chinese Railway Corporation in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works has approved a contract agreement for the construction of a two-Kilometer quarter and two overhead bridges that will run from SKD Boulevard to the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.
She also noted that said project will kick off early in October of this year.