By Festus Poquie
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has launched an investigation into the Liberian government’s $22 million dirt road construction and rehabilitation project, executed by the Ministry of Public Works.
The project was a flagship agenda of President Joseph Boakai, aimed at making all roads and highways across the country passable within the first 100 days of his administration.
However, the initiative has come under intense scrutiny. After spending more than $8 million, nearly all the roads that the ministry claimed were rehabilitated have collapsed just a few months after the rainy season, casting serious doubts on the efficiency and economy of the project.
The LACC has now hired independent engineers and other experts to undertake a technical investigation into the matter, according to people familiar with the probe.
Public Works Ministry itself has expressed concerns about the quality of work done by the contractors, with the Minister, Roland Layfette Giddings, faulting one of his senior deputies for poor supervision and inadequate oversight over the project.
The Liberian Senate in June granted a pardon to the Public Works Minister and other officials regarding the execution of the $22.4 million dirt roads connectivity project, which allegedly bypassed procurement procedures and lacked relevant legislative approval.
Senators raised concerns over the awarding of 10 contracts totaling $22.4 million without adherence to procurement procedures, further exacerbating the issues surrounding the project.
Liberia’s road network infrastructure remains a significant challenge for the country’s development. According to the Ministry of Public Works, only about 6% of the country’s roads are paved, with the majority being dirt roads that are often impassable during the rainy season.
