The Minister of Public Works, Roland Giddings, has provided an update on the government’s ongoing 100-day road construction project, a critical initiative aimed at delivering on President Joseph Boakai’s campaign promise that no vehicles would be stuck in the mud after his first 100 days in office.
The project focuses on rehabilitating key road corridors across the country, ensuring that even during Liberia’s rainy season, roadways remain passable.
Minister Giddings emphasized the broader economic impact of road infrastructure while speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, September 26, stating that “the availability of quality road networks will unlock the potential of key industries.” By improving access to rural areas, the government is positioning Liberia to harness opportunities in agriculture and tourism, two sectors seen as vital for the country’s economic growth.
Currently, rehabilitation efforts are centered on improving laterite roads, which provide a temporary but essential solution to the country’s poor road conditions. Significant progress has been made on critical routes such as Brewerville to Gboa, Buchanan to Saturday Town, and Zwedru to Kanweaken.
These improvements are aimed at ensuring smooth travel for commuters and reducing delays caused by the region’s harsh weather conditions.
In addition to road rehabilitation, the Ministry has initiated efforts to maintain and clean drainage systems in Montserrado County and surrounding areas.
This step is designed to mitigate the risk of flooding, which often exacerbates road conditions, and to ensure that roads remain usable throughout the wet season.
The government is involving community-based organizations in these efforts to promote ongoing maintenance and sustainability.
As the Boakai administration approaches the end of its 100-day mark, the road project is widely seen as a key indicator of the President’s ability to deliver on his promise.
While long-term plans include upgrading these laterite roads to asphalt, the immediate focus remains on ensuring that vehicles can move freely without getting bogged down by the muddy conditions that have plagued the country’s infrastructure for years.
