– Outlines 100-Day plan
Roland Layfette Giddings, Liberia’s Public Works Minister-Designate speaking at his Confirmation Hearing on Wednesday, proffered intrinsic policy prescription frameworks aimed at addressing cogent challenges confronting the Road Sector.
His nomination comes at the time when 8.7% [representing 1140km] of the country’s Road Network a total of 13000km, is paved, with 91.3% unpaved according to a recent roads inventory conducted by the Ministry of Public Works.
The Report: ” The primary roads constitute about 18% of the entire road network, of which only 23% of the primary or major roads are paved and 77% are unpaved; about 36% of the primary or major roads are in good condition”.
On the strategic investment in the Road Infrastructure, the Minister-Designate intimated that roads remain a critical infrastructure for national development, adding that the Government’s ARREST vision highlights Roads as ” the major catalyst to drive economic prosperity”.
He contended that the availability of a quality Road Network would unlock the potentials of both the Agriculture and Tourism industries; thus spurring economic growth and development across the country.
The Liberian Public Works Minister-Designate also stated that when confirmed, his Administration will, amongst other things, reinforce the appropriate investment in roads and bridges to expand access across the country, continue the pavement of major highways connecting county capitals to create easy access to regions of the country, as well as pave highways that connect Liberia to neighboring countries to “enhance cross-border trade and social interactions with our neighbors”.
Also addressing other attending-related issues as captured under his 100-Day Deliverables, Mr. Giddings highlighted the following interventions to address flooding and other disasters as a consequence of the rains:
1. Setting up the Drainage Cleaning Gang at the Ministry to clean all drainages in Montserrado and its environs;
2. Identifying and Setting up CBOs within communities to take over the routine maintenance and cleaning of drainage systems in the long term.
Meanwhile, Senate Committee Chair on Public Works, Hon. Albert Chie affirmed the Committee’s grim commitment to working with the Ministry of Public Works to adequately address the issue of deplorable roads in the Southeast and other parts of the country.
