The Ministry of Public Works through the Liberian-Swedish Access Driven Rural Development Programme (LISA), today, held a consultative engagement with Authorities of Bong County at the Office of the Superintendent in Gbarnga City. 

The Meeting, amongst other things, focused on the construction of 60 kilometers of village access roads in Bong County under the Sweden International Development Agency's (SIDA) fund for Village Access Roads (VARs).

The transition from Feeder to Village Access Roads (VARs) is aimed at enabling farmers to transport their produce from the farms unto the big markets; thereby improving commerce and trade for the local farmers.

In Bong County, several districts are to benefit from these road constructions including: Zota, Panta, Salala, Suakoko, Yealequelleh, and Jorquelleh.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Public Works was the Head of Delegation, Deputy Minister for Rural Development and Community Services Jocelia Taplah, who praised the Swedish Government for the support.

She used the occasion to recount the historicity of Sweden's Feeder Road Projects in Liberia which date back to 2009.

The Public Works Official also called on the county's leadership to take ownership of the project, as it (the Project) also seeks to empower villagers through the provision of short-term job opportunities, something she said will buttress the ARREST AGENDA for Inclusive Development.

For her part, Superintendent Hawa Loleyah Norris expressed satisfaction and promised to help the Ministry in the supervision of the project.

According to her, the people of Bong County are excited over the implementation of the project, noting that her office remains committed to ensuring that the vision of the President's is achieved in the county.

Also speaking, the Project Director Elvis Mensahn said that the duration of the Project is twenty four (24) months, and is expected to provide training for villagers to help maintain the village access roads in the county.

He put the total kilometers of village access roads under the Project to 195 kilometers of track roads in Bong, Lofa and Nimba Counties: 60 kilometers in Bong, 45 kilometers in Lofa and 90 kilometers in Nimba.