- Scores of residents in Kakata have expressed concern over the circumstances that have brought the long-awaited street pavement project to a standstill months after its launch by the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Public Works and its contractor, Praise Glory Lawal (PGL), which subcontracted East International Construction Company.
The government in April 2025 officially commenced the pavement of 8.7 kilometers of major community roads in Kakata, years after former President George Weah broke ground for the project in 2018. The initial plan was never implemented despite an allotment of $1.6 million during his administration.
In 2019, PGL Construction Company, owned by Nigerian-Liberian businessman Tony Lawal, was awarded a $10 million contract by the Ministry of Public Works to pave the roads. However, the company failed to deliver on the project despite deploying heavy earth-moving equipment to Kakata, raising concerns about its re-engagement despite its past performance record.
Public concern intensified after construction works came to a halt in November 2025. Residents attributed the slowdown partly to the heavy rainy season, noting that less than four kilometers of the targeted roads had been paved, while major drainage systems and sidewalks remain incomplete. The situation has cast doubt on the viability of the widely celebrated project.
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The project remains stalled despite a $950,000 allocation in the FY2026 National Budget for the Kakata City Streets Pavement under the Ministry of Public Works.
Speaking in an interview, local businessman Emmet Harmon described the situation as troubling and called for accountability from authorities, particularly lawmakers in Margibi.
"This is a million-dollar question that needs to be addressed," Harmon said. "Our lawmakers should by now summon officials of Public Works because they told us the project would continue once the budget was approved, and now the budget has been passed."
Harmon warned that the delay poses serious risks to residents, especially during the rainy season, when poor road conditions contribute to frequent motorbike accidents.
"I have seen pregnant women fall from bikes during the rainy season. Even the road leading to the Kakata Health Center becomes very bad," he said.
Jusu Hassan, youth chairperson of Mandingo Quarter--one of the communities benefiting from the project--alleged that the delay may be politically motivated.
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"We are hearing that the stoppage is a political strategy and that the project may resume closer to the 2029 elections," Hassan said. "The excitement we had at the beginning is now gone."
Hassan added that the prolonged delay has dampened public confidence in the project.
Meanwhile, Massa Kollie, a petty trader operating along the Kakata General Market "VIP Road," commended the government for the initial pavement work but criticized the failure to complete drainage and sidewalks.
"They paved the road, and we are grateful, but they have not completed the drainage and sidewalks, making it difficult for those of us doing business along the road," Kollie said.
When contacted, Margibi Resident Engineer Hassan Zuannah Fahnbulleh attributed the delay to administrative and procurement challenges. He explained that two additional road stretches were added to the original eight, requiring a new procurement process through the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission.
"The delay is due to the inclusion of additional road segments and the procurement process," Fahnbulleh said, adding that the contractor has indicated readiness to resume work soon.
Despite these assurances, many residents remain skeptical, citing a history of stalled infrastructure projects in the county and calling for greater transparency and accountability from national authorities.
