LIBERIA, TOTOTA, BONG COUNTY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Public Works, with funding from the Swedish Government, and technical support from the German Cooperation for International Development ( GIZ) through the GIZ Capacity Development in the Road Sector, has announced the Village Track Access Road Project targeting three Counties: Bong, Lofa and Nimba, thereby giving way for the construction of 240kilometers motorcycle track roads ( Bong 60km, Lofa 80km, and Nimba 100km) The Project's outcome or purpose involves the improvement of access roads which have brought about the maintenance of Feeder Roads.

Speaking at the occasion, the Acting Minister of Public Works, Hon. Ruth Coker- Collins, thanked donor partners and LIDA for the project and promised that the government will do everything possible to collaborate with them aimed at decentralizing the project in other counties. She also announced that the Ministry has projected funds in the 2022 budget for the said initiative.

Meanwhile, the German and Swedish Ambassadors speaking separately committed their governments' willingness to work collaboratively with the Government of Liberia to help foster the developmental drive of the country. They both thanked the CBOs and LIDA the organization which is responsible for the training, supervision, and management of CBOs on the project for the great work being done.

For his part, Mr. Ted Johnson, who is the Head of LIDA, appreciated the Government and donor partners for the support and opportunity given him and his organization to form part of the project and promised to work assiduously to achieve the objectives of the project.

In furtherance, the Superintendent of Bong County Hon. Esther Walker appreciated the donor partners and CEOs for their commitment and cautioned motor- vehicle drivers to avoid using the track road, adding that it was not meant for motor vehicles. She also threatened to prosecute would-be violators.

The Project serves as a larger collaboration among MPW, SIDA, GIZ, WHH, and Swansea University to further establish evidence of impact and the development of a track construction manual for local and middle-level technicians' reference documents. This endeavor follows documentation of evidence of increased impact from an initial pilot project undertaken by GIZ, Global Communities, Swansea University, and LIDA in 2016, in Nimba County.