Voinjama, the provincial capital of Lofa County was festooned with enthusiasm over the weekend when Vice President Joseph N. Boakai broke grounds for the pavement of the city streets and dedicated 10 feeder roads in the county.

According to Public Works Minister Kofi Wood who briefed our reporter upon return from Voinjama, county officials, market women, students as well as the business community witnessed the ground breaking ceremony for the pavement of streets in Voinjama, the beginning of the pavement of rural city streets in Liberia.

During the 2011 campaign, Mr. Woods recalled that residents of Lofa County told politicians, including President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf who wanted their votes that road was their first priority amongst other development projects they were intending to implement in the county.

He said President Sirleaf later visited the county after the elections and promised Lofa citizens road networks to enhance agricultural activities in the county, dubbed the "breadbasket" of Liberia.

Mr. Woods said the pavement of Voinjama will improve the city's outlook, reduce illnesses associated with dust accumulation, add value to properties and eventually motivate companies and businesses to move into the area.

He said what "is unfolding in Lofa County is just the beginning of an added on strategy to the government's infrastructure plan that is committed to ensuring that all county capitals are linked by quality asphalt paved roads.

"Today, we thank God that our dream has come through. With this, economic activities will boom and transportation difficulties will be removed. We have been suffering for long," Lofa County Supt George S. Dunor was quoted as saying as he danced with compatriots during the groundbreaking ceremony, characterized by cultural and traditional songs and dances.

A release from the Ministry of Public Works quoted Vice President Joseph Boakai as saying the people of Lofa have waited for this day. He expressed gratitude that President Sirleaf saw the need to bring relief to the Lofa.

Vice President Boakai, who also dedicated 10 completed feeder road projects linking various districts and towns in Lofa County, admonished Lofaians to embrace "this giant step taken by the government by avoiding acts that could undermine the integrity and successful implementation of the project."

He urged the citizens to take ownership and participate in development projects, and strongly warned against theft of project materials and other associated malpractices.