The Ministry of Public Works and cross-sections of Stakeholders including Donor Partners were on Thursday, May 20, 2021 locked up in the Large Conference Room at the Ministry of Public Works aimed at identifying challenges in the Road Sector, as well as progress made over the years.
The meeting was part of the Road Transport Infrastructure Sector Monthly Engagement.
According to a release from the Ministry of Public Works, several Donor Partners were in attendance, and they included Representatives from the European Union, China Aid, Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), Deutsche Gesellschaft for Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH ( for short GIZ), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
At the same time, other stakeholders from the Liberian Goverment attending the regular consultative dialogue included the Ministries of Transport, Commerce and Industries, Justice through the Liberia National Police, National Road Fund of Liberia, amongst others.
According to the report, the meeting amongst many things, highlighted the need to connect county capitals, with emphasis on the following road corridors: Ganta – Tappitta – Zewdru, Zwedru – Fish Town, Gbarnga – Voinjama, Buchanan – Rivercess – Greenville, Tubmanburg – Bopolu – Vahun – Foya- Voinjama, Madina – Robertsport, just to name a few.
The release futher noted that the Technical Monthly Engagement, Acting Public Works Minister, Ruth Coker-Collins lauded the Donor Partners for the level of cooperation and reaffirmed the Government of Liberia’s commitment to reforming the Road Sector.
For his part, Deputy Minister for Land and Rail Transport Darius Kollie recounted the crucial role of the Road Safety Secretariat.
According to him, the Secretariat comprises five Government Line Ministries including the Ministries of Transport, Education, Public Works, Health and Justice through the Liberia National Police, noting that road safety is an integral component of the sector in mitigating trafficic related hazards.
According to the release making presentation was the National Road Fund of Liberia through its’ Manager, Boniface Sartu who expressed satisfaction over the level of progress made since the fund became functional in 2018.
He however acknowledged challenges in the sector and stated that for an effective management system, the need for what he called ” Tracking System” from a monitoring and evaluation perspective is pertinent toward improving the Road Sector.
Meanwhile the release also stated that the Dedication of the Somalia Drive Second Phase is underway, as major construction works are being completed.
The second phase of the Somalia Drive Road is a Japanese Government funded project through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The cost of the project is a Fifty Million Dollar Grant and the length is approximately 13.2 km.
