--In Boakai's first eight months
Commercial drivers commuting between counties in Liberia say longer travel time and increased fuel consumption have forced them to raise fares to maintain profitability.
By Kruah Thompson
Monrovia, September 30, 2024: Road construction and rehabilitation work on major roads across Liberia has stalled in the first eight months of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai's administration, adversely affecting local businesses.
Recently, Public Works Minister Roland Giddings outlined 15 major road development projects as part of a 100-day maintenance intervention across the country.
Of these, only two are fully completed. The remaining 13 are either nearing completion or awaiting the end of the rainy season.
The 37 km road from Ganta to Sanniquellie and the 6.1 km road from ELWA Junction to Coca-Cola Factory are the only roads 100% completed, while the road from Gbanga to Salayea is 91% finished.
Although the Sanniquellie to Logatuo road and the Kilipo to Fishtown roads are 85% complete, the remaining nine projects are below 50% completion or waiting for the dry season.
In a statement over the weekend, Minister Giddings attributed the delays in the construction and rehabilitation of these roads to the rainy season.
However, the deteriorating road conditions have raised concerns among residents and local business owners who transport plantains, bananas, and other local commodities across the counties to sell.
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They worry about the impact this is having on economic activities in the region.
Easter Jabbah, a plantain seller who purchases goods from various counties to sell in the Red-Light market, Paynesville, reported that poor road conditions often damage her products. She stated that she risks losing money in the process if she doesn't act wisely.
Additionally, local bus and commercial truck drivers who commute in these regions are also expressing frustration over escalating expenses due to the road conditions.
They reveal that longer travel times and increased fuel consumption have forced them to raise fares to maintain profitability.
However, Mr. Giddings assured our reporter that all road issues would be addressed appropriately during the rainy season.
He emphasized plans to maintain city street ordinances and patch damaged areas along the roads.
Moreover, he announced that a Chinese company called the China Road and Bridges Corporation, has been hired to construct an overpass bridge in front of the EJS Ministerial Complex, with work set to commence in early January.
He also mentioned plans to demolish houses along the alley, starting in Montserrado. In this exercise, the Public Works Ministry says it will focus primarily on community roads such as the Chicken Soup Factory Road, among others.
Minister Giddings continued that they are currently procuring a firm responsible for rehabilitating roads with potholes across Monrovia.
When questioned about whether the promised 20k yellow machines from the president will be utilized in the process, he responded that he would use the machine if they were available.
