Monrovia, Liberia — The Liberian-Swedish Access-Driven Rural Development Program (LISA) has entered its third phase with an extension of two years.
The project aims to provide skills training and temporary employment opportunities to 3,120 villagers while focusing on constructing Village Access Roads (VARs) and maintaining feeder roads in rural Liberia. This initiative seeks to enhance rural infrastructure and livelihoods significantly.
Furthermore, the program will enhance the capacity of county administrations to conduct road maintenance in alignment with the Government of Liberia’s decentralization policy. Through collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) and local contractors, LISA will promote sustainable road maintenance practices.
During the extension announcement on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, Hon. Tanneh Brunson, Deputy Minister for Budget and Development Planning at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, emphasized the economic benefits associated with feeder road construction in the country. She highlighted the importance of decentralization and agriculture in the government’s plans.
The $5 million project aims to improve 195 kilometers of Village Access Roads in Bong, Lofa, and Nimba Counties within two years, ultimately enhancing living standards in rural communities and reducing poverty.
Since its inception in 2009, the Liberian-Swedish Feeder Roads Project (LSFRP) has improved 1,000 kilometers of roads across various project phases. The maintenance of these roads will be carried out by community-based organizations (CBOs), promoting local engagement and ownership.
Swedish Ambassador to Monrovia, H.E. Urban Sjostrom, commended the strong partnership between Sweden and Liberia, emphasizing Sweden’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s road development efforts to improve rural access and farm-to-market road corridors.
Public Works Minister Roland Layfette Giddings expressed gratitude to Sweden for their continuous support of Liberia’s national development, particularly in road infrastructure. Minister Giddings highlighted the importance of road connectivity in the Government of Liberia’s ARREST AGENDA and reiterated the ministry’s dedication to the successful implementation of the project.
The transformation of footpaths into village access roads is expected to have a significant economic, social, and environmental impact, exceeding the benefits of upgrading unpaved feeder, secondary, and main roads across the three Liberian counties. LISA will provide technical and social support to Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to effectively implement community maintenance action plans.
