The Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism has confirmed that the Boakai administration has secured over 200 machines to bolster sustainable infrastructure development, reduce poverty, augment agricultural activities, enhance food and healthcare security through roads.
Road infrastructure is one of the major pillars of the administration’s ARREST Agenda, and it seems like the pillar is the fulcrum on which the success of the other pillars depend to succeed.
According to government sources, the road reconstruction strategy within the ARREST Agenda aims to transform the nation’s road network, focusing on farm-to-market roads and the integration of rural and urban areas, terming the approach as pivotal not only for economic growth but also for reducing poverty, enhancing food security and improving medical access.
“The vision of President Boakai is to create a robust, inclusive, and sustainable road network that connects urban and rural Liberia, fostering economic opportunities, reducing poverty, and enhancing the quality of life for all Liberians,” the Ministry of Information observed.
These machines come a few weeks over the Boakai administration’s first 100 days in office, when the regime made interventions on several major roads.
The administration had promised that, among other things, in its first 100 days it would ensure that all major roads are pliable all seasons; carry out general road-user worthiness motor vehicle and driver licensing, insurance, eligibility certification enforcement exercises; purchasespare parts for public buses; and review road contracts signed between 2018 to 2023.
In its 100-Day Action Plan Assessment Report, the government reported that critical spots across the country are currently being aggressively worked on in anticipation of the rainy season, and that critical road corridors across the country have been identified and all contracts awarded, with contractors receiving first set of disbursement. Also, the report said, grading, reshaping to form road camber and compaction are on-going, and that installation of cross drain at water crossing and critical spots across the country are being maintained and are pliable.
The report revealed that the Ministry of Transport hasreviewed contracts signed between 2018 to 2023, and afixed asset registry has been established and is carrying out general road user worthiness motor vehicle and driver licensing, insurance, eligibility certification enforcement exercises across the country.
Meanwhile, several local and international partners have commended the Boakai administration for its farsightedness in procuring the yellow machines for road works.
Nimba County’s district #7 Representative, Musa Hassan Bility, also added to the many who have commended the regime for the effort. He said, “The news of the yellow machines is welcoming and must be embraced by all. Our roads are poor, and our people are suffering. The legislation, under the line item called ‘presidential projects’, gave the President the latitude in the 2024 budget to do something like this. This is no time to criticize such a revolutionary move by the Executive.We look forward to the transparent and equitable implementation of this critical project.”