President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has again expressed concern over the slow pace of implementing the country's infrastructure program particularly road construction and rehabilitation, being supported by the country's development partners. The President expressed impatience at the delays and called for a special session to address the situation.

Speaking Wednesday at the SKD Sports Complex, at a High-level Retreat on Infrastructure, the Liberian leader welcomed the technical details being drawn up to meet the country's infrastructure needs, but observed that tangible progress on the Pillar IV of the Poverty Reduction Strategy is taking too long.

According to an Executive Mansion release, the President noted that it has taken three years to draw up what she described as a sophisticated system, which, while very good and wonderful, left her wondering whether Liberia, emerging out of a civil conflict was ready for such a system.

"What I saw here looks very good and great in a country that's at a level of development where they have the capacity, the experience, and technicians," the President observed.

Commenting on methods being discussed to guide the implementation of the country's infrastructure program, the Liberian leader wondered whether other countries emerging out of conflict underwent a similar exercise. "If it has been done and done successfully, that's what we want to know. What benefits have come out of it?" she asked.

The President cautioned that Liberia cannot be used as a test case for sophisticated technical things. "We need roads; we need them now," she emphasized.

The three-day retreat is being held under the auspices of the Government of Liberia, represented by the Ministry of Public Works, the World Bank, and the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET).

Among other issues, participants will discuss a framework for assessing Liberia's infrastructure financing options, and examine a model of accountable data-driven decision-making for Liberia that will illustrate how approach is responsive to current sector issues.

Speakers at Wednesday's opening session included the Minister of Public Works, Mr. Kofi Woods; the President of the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), Dr. K.Y. Amoako, and a Senior Associate of the African Center for Economic Transformation, Mr. Larry Hannah, who delivered the keynote address.