Tarboo, La Cote D'voire, April 6, 2025: In lieu of the strides to eliminate trade barriers in Africa—which research shows is one of major binding constraints to the continent's development, the Minister of Public Works initiated an engagement with local authorities of neighbouring Ivory Coast, the Contractor and Consultants alike, to device alternative strategies on the implementation of the Mano River Union Project (MRU-1)  designed to connect the two countries by constructing a bridge over the Callava River.

The move was triggered by the successful completion of a sixteen (16) kilometer road that runs from Harper City in Maryland County, up to the Callava River that borders Liberia and Ivory Coast. 

Although ECOWAS is financing the project under its Mano River Union Road Development & Transport Facilitation Program aimed at enhancing regional and crossed-border trade, the Liberian Government had the obligation to make its contribution through resettlement of all property owners to clear the corridor for the construction of the road and bridge, as well as to make other contributions to project running costs. 

Interestingly, the Liberian Government made full settlement of its obligations to this landmark project and has been looking forward to its Ivorian counterpart to complete settlements within its territories, thus allowing the commencement of the bridge.

This, amongst others, were reasons for the Minister’s engagement with local authorities as it is the singular delay to the commencement of the bridge. Speaking to his counterparts, Minister Roland Layfette Giddings re-echoed Liberia’s eagerness to seeing the completion of the project. He also noted that the project will bring significant improvement to the lives of people living along the border lines. 

In a debriefing from the Contractor & Consultant, they informed the Minister and his Team  that the realignment of the bridge measures at 288 meters or 945-feet in length, 2 abortments, & 7 piers. For the geo-technical analysis they confirmed 25% progress, while surveying is at 50%. "The mobilization of the steel beam will be completed in two weeks and we will begin full-scale operations on the Liberian shores while we await Ivory Coast to do full settlement", the contractor assured the Minister and his Team.