The Liberian-Swedish Access Driven Rural Development Program (LISA) held an Annual Review Mission (ARM) meeting today, which is a regular event of LISA designed to interface with the Swedish Embassy, Ministry of Public Works, and other development partners on project-related activities. This year’s Annual Review is a one-day event comprising a presentation on the progress of the project, a review of the financial status of the project, development of action points of the meeting including lessons learnt, and finding solutions to some of the project's most basic challenges. 

Designed to enhance rural development, the LISA Project seeks to construct a total of 190 kilometers of Village Access Roads (VARs) across three counties including Nimba, Bong, & Lofa. According to the terms of the project, the 190 kilometers is disaggregated as follows:

1. Nimba County - 90.0 kilometers
2. Bong County- 60.0 kilometers
3. Lofa County - 45.0 kilometers 

In addition to the construction of these VARs under phase-two of the project, the scope also covers the maintenance of 174.6 kilometers that were constructed under phase-one with 92.7 km in Nimba, 10.2 km in Bong, & 71.7 km in Lofa counties.

Elvis S.K Mensahn, the Director  of Program, presented a summary progress report covering the period July 2024 - June 2025, assuring the Ministry and Swedish delegation that actual construction works will begin in October 2025, having satisfied every bit of requirements and completed srategic preparation. “The LISA Project is on course and we are pleased to also report that a state-of-the-art Village Access Roads Manual has been completed, and will serve as a new standard by which feder roads are done. We have further ensured that all mechanisms are put in place for actual works to begin in October of this year”, Mr. Mensahn lamented.

Responding to the progress update presented by the Program Director—the Head of Delegation from the Swedish Embassy near Monrovia—Kerstin Johnson Cisse acknowledged the level of work—adding that as much as the roads are important to the Liberian government, they are equally important to the people of Sweden as they're not only roads, but ones that create access to markets, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve the possibility for kids to go to school.   Meanwhile, Ms. Cisse reaffirmed the Swedish Government's openess to work with the Ministry of Public Works to look at new suggestions and analyze the possibility of incorporating them. She, however, cautioned the Project Financial Management Unit of the Ministry of Finance & Development Planning to ensure the preparation of project financial reports consistent with priorities as outlined in the project budget;  and must do so within the agreed timeframe. 

For his part, Minister Roland Layfette Giddings thanked the Swedish Government for its conspicuous and impactful support to rural development with specific reference to the LISA Project. He highlighted the difficulty small holder farmers go through to gain access to larger markets, and the project comes as a perfect response to the need to alleviate such difficulty. However, Minister Giddings informed the Swedish delegation that the Liberian Government will be looking forward to create a lasting impact by sealing these roads permanently, and hopes that they could begin giving their perspective the needed consideration. “While we appreciate the construction of these VARs and the impact on the economy thereof, we are also looking forward to ensuring that it is made permanent by asphaling them. This, we believe, will go a long way in preserving the enviable legacy of the Swedish people”, Minister Giddings concluded.