The Governments of Liberia and Japan Tuesday signed an agreement for the expansion and reconstruction of the Somalia Drive road.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Liberia, Naoto Nikai said his government would provide US$1 million for the design of the reconstruction and expansion work of Somalia Drive.

Ambassador Nikai disclosed that the signing agreement to begin actual construction work on the road to four-lane would be held in Yokahama, Japan in June this year.

The Japanese Envoy pointed out that the expansion of the Somalia Drive road would mitigate the traffic congestion and secure traffic safety.

He also said during the project, the double bridge would be rehabilitated while a new bridge would be constructed over the Stockton River.

Ambassador Nikai disclosed that the expansion and reconstruction of the Somalia Drive Road would be completed at the end of 2015.

He said, the project, when implemented would be one of the symbolic projects that represent friendly relations between the two countries.

The Japanese Envoy called on residents in the area to cooperate because the project would benefit them.

Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan who signed on behalf of the Liberian government lauded Japan for the support to the development of Liberia.

He recalled that in December 2012, Japan and Liberia signed US8.5 million food aid grant and US$25 million agreement aimed at enhancing Liberia's food security and improving access to electricity.

"There is a very long list of good things that the people and government of Japan have done for us," Minister Ngafuan said.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government has provided US$5.6 million for the expansion of the ELWA-RIA road to four-lane, the Director of Communication and Documentation at the Ministry of Public Works, Jusufu M. Keita has disclosed. Mr. Keita said the expansion work would begin in the next dry season.