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No Car Will Get Stuck In The Mud On Major Roads After 100 Days; Pres. Boakai Reiterates

President Joseph N. Boakai has elevated his statement that, after the first 100 days of his administration no car will get stuck in mud on any of the major roads in Liberia, as the restoration of the county road maintenance stations will be a key deliverable.

Speaking Monday at the Capitol when he delivered his first State-of-the-Nation Address, President Boakai said, “Expanding and improving the road network in our country remains a top priority for my administration. While there has been some progress in the road and transport sectors during the reviewed period, there remain considerable challenges in road development.

“Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Honorable Legislators, ladies and gentlemen: the total paved roads in our national road network amount to only 1,131.1km, representing 8.7% percent of the 13,000 km road network we need. This fact underscores considerable challenges in road infrastructure and the urgent need to fund road development in the country.

“With assistance from friendly partners, the country made notable progress in paving some primary roads, including the corridors: the Gbarnga to Salayea, the Ganta to Saclepea, the Ganta to Yekepa, and the Sanniquellie to Loguato. In addition, as of now, 37.7 percent of work on the ELWA to RIA Road Project has been accomplished.

“To access all county capitals, my government will work to alleviate the problems faced by commuters using our primary roads, especially during the rainy season. This situation also causes major impediments to the economic development of our people, as these primary routes are major economic corridors to all parts of our country. This is why we have commissioned a ‘no car stuck in the mud’ 100-day deliverable to make all major primary corridors pliable.”

President Boakai added, “Our flagship road delivery program will include the Freeport to St. Paul Bridge Road. Having received funding through the Government of Japan, we will begin construction of a 4-lane road from the Gabriel Tucker Bridge to the Freeport of Monrovia. Additionally, the Government of Japan is expected to provide funds to expand the Gabriel Tucker Bridge to 4-lanes. The Government has also secured additional support from Japan for the conduct of feasibility studies for the expansion of the Freeport to St. Paul Bridge corridor. My government will allocate funds to complete the 6.5 km Freeport to St. Paul Bridge Road.

“Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Madam Pro-Tempore, and Honorable Legislators: My government will ensure that funding from the National Road Fund is utilized to maintain and rehabilitate roads for the good of the public. Through the contribution of Liberians who pay their fuel levies from every gallon of gasoline or fuel oil they purchase, we will continue to expand our maintenance program in maintaining our existing network and the construction of new community roads.”

In addition to road connectivity, President Boakai also delved into his agenda for the state of the economy, agriculture, legislative agenda, the Presidential Transition Act, Bill for the Establishment of the Ministry of Local Government, operationalizing the Revenue Sharing Law, passage of the National Tourism Bill, establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman, amendment to the New Financial Institution Act, amended and Restated Payments System Act, Liberia Insurance Regulatory Commission Act, 2015 Paris Agreement, foreign policy, the civil service, health, education, good governance, democratic elections, the diaspora Liberians and necrology.

He concluded that the state of the nation is in distress, but the hope of the people is alive. “We have all it takes to overcome the burden we have imposed on ourselves through greed and corruption. When we work together, there is nothing we cannot overcome as a people. This is why I ask you, the representatives of our people, to join me to do the business of the Liberian people by not doing business as usual.

“The time for a mindset shift is now. We must be selfless in our service to bring about the change the Liberian people are yearning for. Again, I challenge you to join me to Think Liberia, Love Liberia, and Build Liberia,” President Boakai observed. See full speech inside.

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