Liberia: “CDC Gov’t Paved 400Km of Roads”

Public Works Minister Ruth Coker-Collins has highlighted the significant strides made by the outgoing Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government in improving road connectivity across the country, especially in urban areas. Despite resource constraints, the government, led by President George Weah, was committed to linking every part of the country, although Minister Coker-Collins acknowledged that there are still some areas that need attention.

Under the stewardship of Minister Coker-Collins, the Ministry of Public Works claims to have made remarkable progress in expanding and upgrading the road network. A notable achievement, the Ministry said, is the pavement of approximately 400 kilometers of roads across Liberia. This accomplishment, she noted, is a testament to the government’s dedication to enhancing transportation infrastructure and fostering greater accessibility for all citizens. 

Coker-Collins’ journey at the Public Works Ministry began in August 2020, when President Weah appointed her as Deputy Minister for Technical Services.  She was made Acting Minister and subsequently Minister in June 2022 when her boss, Minister Mobutu Vlah Nyenpan, died. 

“The Ministry, under my stewardship, made significant strides in improving the road sector in Liberia. We also carried out key reforms here in the Ministry and the road sector in general,” Minister Coker-Collins said at a press conference in Monrovia on Thursday, January 18. 

She said the Weah administration saw that the development of roads was about continuity. Therefore, they were not focused on initiating what could be called “Signature projects” but instead took development to places where contracts had already been signed as envisaged by the President. “We were fully briefed about the vision and agenda of Mr. President, and from day one of our appointment, we were fully prepared to move the agenda forward.” 

It is no secret that Liberia’s road challenges are nationwide — from Montserrado to Cape Mount, Bong to Lofa, Nimba to Grand Gedeh, Maryland to Grand Kru, and from Sinoe to Rivercess. 

As such, the Minister said the ministry initiated some major roads and community roads in various localities. Some of these include:

WORLD BANK  

➢ Rehabilitation and expansion of Coca-Cola Factory to ELWA Junction Road Section  (6.1km)  

➢ Works 5.99 km paved out of 6.1km 

➢ Design of Roundabout at ELWA Junction completed; construction has started and will be completed in the first quarter of 2024 

➢ Project Affected Persons - compensated 

➢ Funds allocation to address the impact on petty traders in the environs of Red Light identified  

Rehabilitation of Ganta - Saclepea Road(39km) Milestone Achieved- (June 2021 to December 31, 2023)  

➢ Works Status: Asphalt Binder Course- 20km and Asphalt wearing course, 16km paved out of 39km 

➢ Alternative Plan to commence work on SECRAMP was discussed between GoL and IDA as part of the August 2020 mission  

➢ GoL committed to front-load ‌ US$36.4 million under NRF allocation, to  intervene during the 2020/2021 construction Season on the 39km road section  between Ganta and Saclepea using Limited International Bidding (LIB) method to  procure contractor and consultant  

➢ Commencement of works was on January 2, 2021.  

Rehabilitation of Saclepea – Tappita Road Section (61km) Milestone Achieved- (January 2022 to December 31, 2023)  

➢ Physical Progress Achieved to Date is 21% (Mobilization, completed; Camp Site construction completed; Clearing/ Grubbing -37km; Subgrade preparation- 15km; 

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subbase preparation–24km; Pipe culverts – 41 nos. out of 96 installed; Box  culverts, 10 nos. out of 14 installed. 

➢ Project Affected Persons compensated 

➢ Abbreviated RAP additional PAPs, mainly covering compensation for graves and economic crops completed for submission to World Bank 

 Project Financial Status (Jointly funded by GOL&LRTF):  

Rehabilitation of Tappita to Toe Town Road Section(40km) Milestone Achieved   (December 2021 to December 31, 2023) in Collaboration with Ministry of  Agriculture 

➢ Project approval by World Bank Board, December 2021 

➢ Procurement Process and Works Contract signature–August 18, 2023 ➢ Negotiation for conduct of Biodiversity Field Survey (BFS) in progress ➢ Disbursement to contract to follow after the conduct of the BFS Report is completed and disclosed. The Biodiversity field survey will take four to six months.

 RETRAP- 2^nd-AF Rehabilitation of Ivorian Border to Toe Town to Zwedru Road Section 

 (85km) Achieved: - October 2023 to December 2023) 

➢ Project preparation, Appraisal, Negotiations, and World Bank’s Board Approval achieved 

➢ Effectiveness Conditions–signing of Financing Agreement, Ratification by  Legislature and issuance of Legal Opinion by the Ministry of Justice are the required next steps. 

Upgrading of the Ganta to Sanniquellie Road Section (37km 

➢ Didn’t sign the contract but met progress at 25%. currently at completed and ready for dedication.  

➢ Contractor–CHICO

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➢ Consultant - CSE (Senegal) 

➢ MPW will need to engage with the AML Management on funding requirement for Phase 2, the remaining rehabilitation of 30km between Saniquellie and Yekepa.  

Upgrading of Gbarnga to Salayea Road Project (81km)–Baseline Status ➢ I didn’t sign a contract but inherited work at 24%  

➢ Current status is at 94.4% 

➢ 67km out of 81km fully asphalt paved 

➢ Contractor - CHICO 

➢ Consultant - SaudConsult (Saudi Arabia) 

➢ Project Financial Status (Funded by GOL and ARAB Donors) 

Preparation of the Road Sector Development Plan (RSDP) 

➢ The Road Sector Development (RSDP) was developed in May 2023 under funding from the World Bank. It is a framework for guiding prioritized road transport infrastructure investment in Liberia over ten years. 

➢ The RSDP was validated in May 2023 

➢ Next step required is the rollout of the RSDP 

While the ministry is heavily engaged with the construction of roads, the Minister said that the Ministry could not sort out all the challenges within six years of this administration.

Photo 2: Minister Coker-Collins addresses a press conference at her office in Monrovia

Key among those challenges was financial. The COVID pandemic and climate change situation also led to many projects being stalled and, in some instances, abandoned. “Finally, we want to state here that we take pride in every work we did and remain happy that we drove President Weah’s road agenda to a phenomenal level,” she said. “I wish the Joseph N. Boakai-led administration all the very best, specifically my would-be successor. I will always feel proud of our collective achievement to develop our infrastructure, specifically our road infrastructure. 

“I encourage the staff of the Ministry of  Public Works to remain engaged and focus on the task at hand. I have served and understood the tasks and challenges. With unity, commitment, and confidence, this  ministry can deliver on its mandate and connect Liberia’s roads. Our nation will remain on  an irreversible path with professionals, goal-getters, and committed individuals with huge  integrity that we brought to the Ministry. We remain honored to have served our country at this level.”  

During her tenure, the Minister highlighted achievements in road construction, including the paving of approximately 400 kilometers of roads, and she encouraged her successor to prioritize the employment of more engineers for continued progress in infrastructure projects.

She expressed gratitude to President George Manneh Weah for the opportunity to serve the people of Liberia by improving the country's road networks.

‘LACC welcome to investigate’

Minister Ruth Coker-Collins has strongly denied allegations that she awarded a contract worth US$260,000 to her husband, dismissing the claims made by Stanton Witherspoon and his panelists on Spoon Talk. The Minister clarified that the accusations made by Witherspoon, who himself is facing legal consequences in the US for fraud, were unfounded and false. 

She emphasized that the consultancy contract awarded to Blanco, owned by Sebastian Collins, has no connection to her family, and Sebastian Collins is not her husband. 

“Sebastian Collins is not my husband nor related to my husband or our family, I have never met this person and don’t know him or how he was awarded consultancy,” she said.

She noted that she became aware of the contract awarded to Bleco by the National Road Fund without her approval through a media report on January 8.

“Whether the contract went through PPCC or met all requirements as required, needs to be answered by the manager of NRF, not me,” the Minister said. “For all I know or have seen about this contract and available at this Press Conference has got nothing about me, my signature, or the Ministry of Public Works.” 

Minister Coker-Collins has therefore urged the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations, stressing the importance of protecting her reputation and promoting the integrity of Liberian society.

Minister Coker-Collins expressed hope that the LACC investigation will bring closure to the matter and preserve her character and that of Liberian society.