Major Road Rehabilitation Kicks off in Monrovia, as President Sirleaf Dedicates Jallah Town Road

Monrovia, Liberia - President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has broken grounds for the start of major road rehabilitation work in the country. Speaking Friday during the ceremony, the President said the exercise will not be limited to Monrovia alone but extended to  rural Liberia, especially in the Southeast, where roads in that part of the country are in a deplorable state due to lack of maintenance over the years.

The President said the labor intensive road rehabilitation project will provide job opportunities for many Liberians and facilitate the movement of goods and services throughout the country upon completion.

The Liberian leader has appealed for understanding and cooperation as the rehabilitation exercise gets underway. The President, who earlier dedicated the Jallah Town Road which has been under construction and rehabilitation, drove through the three-mile road, amid cheers and chants of appreciation from by-standers.  The road provides a major detour to Tubman Boulevard, which is among several major roads in the city undergoing rehabilitation.

The President lauded all those who contributed to the successful completion of the Jallah Town Road Project. The start of the rehabilitation, the President said, is an indication that the Unity Party continues to deliver on its promises to the Liberian people in line with its platform.

Public Works Minister, Luseni Donzo, put the construction and rehabilitation cost of the Jallah Town Road at $1.5 million dollars. The amount, he said, covers the construction of a drainage system and sidewalks, which will commence immediately.

The Public Works Minster disclosed that phase-one of the general rehabilitation of roads will cost $23.38 million dollars, covering 48.960 meters. Phase-two, he said, is estimated at more than $25 million dollars. The amount is being solicited from the country’s development partners.

Areas to benefit from the first phase of the road construction and rehabilitation include: Greater Monrovia; Freeport to Red Light; Somalia Drive; and ELWA Junction to Roberts International Airport, amongst others. Phase-two, according to the Minister, will cover Cotton-Tree in Margibi County to Buchanan; Grand Bassa County; Caldwell; and Careysburg, among others.

The road project is being undertaken by a Chinese Construction company known as CHICO, The Chinese Highway International Corporation. The company has been involved in road construction in more than fifteen African countries, as well as in Europe and Asia.