A youth group under the banner of Battery Factory Woodsfield Business Association is soliciting at least one million Liberian dollars for the construction of a one- kilometer road in Woodsfield, Battery Factory. Woodsfield was relocated from the Free Port of Monrovia by the Liberian Government in a bid to give the country's number one port a facelift and decongest the area.

Woodsfield, Battery Factory is in Gardnersville, Outside Monrovia. According to the group Chairman, Mr. Nathaniel B. Brown, the one- kilometer road, which links Woodsfield with the rest of Battery Factory, is inaccessible to vehicles. He said the project is being implemented under a self help community development initiative.

He said the initiative is aimed at bringing relief to struggling businesses across the non-existent road. He pointed out that the construction of the one- kilometer road is critical to the survival and development of the business community in Battery Factory.

"We are paying taxes for our businesses here, but we are not getting customers due to the bad condition of this road," Mr. Brown lamented. The youth group chairman disclosed that the road construction project will kick off early next year. The chairman further disclosed that they have already generated about US$100,000 in generous donations from market women, cold water sellers and other petit business people in Battery Factory.

The over 50 businesses in Woodsfield are predominantly timber shops owned by young Liberian entrepreneurs. He said their new location is a complete swamp and become inaccessible particularly during the rainy season, something he said is impeding their operation at the new site.

Meanwhile, Mr. Brown is calling on the Ministry of Public Works, the Government of the People's Republic of China, NGOs and well meaning Liberians to help in any they can in supporting their self help project.