On Tuesday, October 31, 2024, the Minister of Public Works, Mr. Roland Layfette Giddings, responded to a formal invitation from the Senate, the Upper House of the Legislature. During his appearance at the 41th day Sitting of the First Session of the 55th Legislature, Minister Giddings commented on the prevailing road conditions across the country, and efforts being made to improve the country’s road network.
Among other things, Minister Giddings commented on the issue of US$22m for the President’s hundred days roads project deliverables.
According to Minister Giddings, the initial disbursement was US$8.9m for nationwide roads repair project.
He told the Senate hearing that an additional US$1 million has been disbursed. So, it is US$9.9m, out of the US$22, that has been disbursed, so far.
He also pointed out that the amount of US$35m was allotted to the Ministry of Public Works in the National Budget, but the ministry received only US$5m from the Ministry of Finance plus another allotment of US$1.5m to recondition potholes littering the Streets of Monrovia.
The Works Minister however, assured that in this dry season, the Ministry of Public Works will work robustly in addressing the problem of deplorable road conditions across the country.
And as the nation enters the dry season, we, at The INDEPENDSENT Newspaper are calling on the central government to ensure that all allotments made to the Ministry of Public Works are made available to enable the Ministry to effectively carry out its road construction and /or improvement works throughout the country.
The ministry must also make proper use of the funding support it receives by improving the country’s road network in this dry season.
In the same vein, we are calling on the central government to clear its arrears to various road contractors to ensure the improvement of the country’s road connectivity, especially during this dry season.
