By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
The Ministry of Public Works, in collaboration with key government institutions and development partners, has officially launched a Five-Year Infrastructure Strategic Plan (2025–2029) aimed at transforming Liberia’s road and infrastructure sector and accelerating national development.
The launch ceremony, held Wednesday in Monrovia, brought together stakeholders from the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the National Road Fund, and major development partners, including the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Delivering special remarks, Minister of Public Works Roland Layfette Giddings said the Strategic Plan will serve as a guiding framework for road sector development over the next five years.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s “Raw Aggression Vision,” which seeks to exceed planned targets and fast-track infrastructure delivery across the country.
According to Minister Giddings, while the plan targets the paving of 485 kilometers of roads, the Ministry is aiming higher by extending paved road coverage to 700 kilometers.
He noted that Liberia’s economic growth has long been constrained by inadequate energy supply and limited road access, but emphasized that the government has prioritized both sectors as key drivers of investment and development.
“We have identified major growth corridors, including routes into Central Liberia, Nimba County, the Southeast, the Coastal Highway, and the Bo Water corridor, which is being advanced through a Public-Private Partnership arrangement,” Minister Giddings stated.
Deputy Minister for Technical Services, Prince Tambah, described the plan as more than a roadmap, calling it a firm commitment to transforming Liberia’s infrastructure landscape.
He disclosed that over the five-year period, the Ministry plans to construct, rehabilitate, and maintain approximately 4,000 kilometers of roads nationwide, with an estimated budget of US$925.3 million.
Key components of the plan include the construction of 500 kilometers of new primary roads, 1,090 kilometers of secondary roads, and 2,500 kilometers of feeder roads; rehabilitation and maintenance of urban roads; maintenance of over 2,000 kilometers of unpaved roads; and the construction of public buildings such as markets and city halls.
Assistant Minister for Planning, Research and Programmes, Rahin Bility, said the plan draws from the AfDB-funded 2022 Transport Master Plan and aligns with Pillar II of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), focusing on modern, reliable, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
On behalf of Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan, Assistant Minister for Development Planning, Barchue, pledged increased budgetary allocation for roads, while recommending a more holistic approach that strengthens synergies within the road sector.
