THE WORLD BANK INCREASES SUPPORT FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION IN LIBERIA

Monrovia, Liberia, January 13, 2010 The World Bank and the Government of Liberia have signed an agreement for the improvement of the Pleebo to Barclayville road linking two counties in Southeastern Liberia, Maryland and Grand Kru Counties. The project estimated at US$2,819,144.17 will cover Ninety Seven (79) kilometers of road and is part of funding provided by the World Bank through its Urban and Rural Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project Grant; (URIRP) and will be implemented by the Government of Liberia through the Infrastructure Implementation Unit at the Ministry of Public Works.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the World Bank Country Manager, Dr. Ohene Owusu Nyanin said “the World Bank takes great satisfaction in supporting this particular implementation among the so many; for it was specifically designed to rebuild and augment the capacity of Liberia’s indigenous expertise in undertaking major civil works design and construction”. He noted that this vital link along the primary road network of Liberia will not only restore the lost access to the agricultural farmland and the logging reserves in Grand Kru and Maryland, but shall also enable the local technical industry to develop their capacity for upcoming future challenges and opportunities. He emphasized that all of this shall be achieved through a partnership between the Bank, the GOL and the private sector of Liberia.

Speaking further, Dr. Nyanin pointed out that the World Bank is not only working on major projects in and around Monrovia but remains focused, in partnership with the GoL, to improve the primary road networks in the rest of the Country as well. He added that in continuation of creating more opportunities for the local industry, another 620 km of laterite road improvements shall be out soon for national tendering under Bank financing. “This project will take up sections along the two key corridors from Fish Town – Zwedru - Ganta; and Gbarnga – Voinjama – Foya. This and the other initiatives in the feeder roads and the GoL funded projects jointly aim to provide exclusive opportunities to the local construction industry to develop themselves” the World Bank Manager said.

Also speaking during the signing ceremony, Public Works Minister Kofi Woods thanked the World Bank for its continued massive technical and financial assistance to the Government and people of Liberia in the implementation of Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Public Works with the Minister Kofi Woods signing on behalf of the Government of Liberia; while Mr. Shawki Fawaz, Managing Director signed on behalf of the Contractor, S.S. F. Entrepreneur Inc, an indigenous Liberian entity. Meanwhile, consultancy to the project will be provided by another Liberian firm, Techsult Liberia in association with Techsult & Co. of Sierra Leone. The project is expected to begin on January 30, 2010 and last for six months (ending July 31, 2010).