MPW, AfDB Inspect Ongoing MRU Road Corridors in Southeastern Liberia to Assess Progress and Engage Project-Affected Communities

The Ministry of Public Works (MPW), in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), has conducted a monitoring and inspection mission along road corridors under the Mano River Union (MRU) Road Development and Transport Facilitation Programme in southeastern Liberia. The mission assessed progress on ongoing works, engaged project-affected communities, and evaluated contractors’ and consultants’ performance to promote accountability and effective project implementation.

 

During a courtesy visit to the Grand Gedeh County Administration, AfDB Transport Engineer and Task Team Lead Sheila Enyonam Akyea outlined four road corridors financed by the Bank: 

 

 

She emphasized that the Bank’s monitoring missions, conducted twice yearly, ensure that project resources are used for their intended purposes. She also disclosed that funding for Phase Four has been secured, with procurement of the civil works contractor ongoing. Transport Engineer Kaustella Kialain Sarlih highlighted the anticipated connectivity benefits of the John David Town–Zwedru corridor and commended residents for their cooperation and ownership of the project.

 

The delegation visited communities in Grand Gedeh and River Gee counties, engaging Grievance Redress Committees (GRCs) and selected Project-Affected Persons to discuss compensation-related concerns and other issues arising from project implementation. The team also met with contractors and inspected proposed construction camp and quarry sites. During courtesy engagements with both county administrations, local authorities welcomed the mission and expressed appreciation for the Government of Liberia and the AfDB’s continued commitment to improving road connectivity in the region.

 

The mission, which included the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) headed by Mr. Rawlings Baco Kesselly, concluded with an inspection of ongoing construction works at the Cavalla River Bridge in Maryland County, which connects Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire. The PIU played a key coordination role throughout the mission, facilitating engagements with county officials and supporting field inspections and stakeholder consultations. Liberia has also been commended for meeting its obligations toward the smooth implementation of the Cavalla Bridge project.

 

The MPW-AfDB partnership under the MRU programme seeks to improve regional connectivity, facilitate cross-border transportation, and stimulate economic and social development across southeastern Liberia. Continued monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and coordination among government institutions, development partners, contractors, and affected communities remain essential to achieving these objectives.