Morris S. Karneh, LINA Grand Cape Mount County Correspondent
BO WATERSIDE April 21 (LINA) – President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr. has broken ground for the construction of a 255-kilometer Western Corridor road network.
The US$363.9 million project which is expected to be completed in five-year time is a standardized road network that will cover Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Montserrado and Lofa counties.
The 255 Kilometers include St. Paul Bridge to Klay 38km, Klay to Bo Waterside 79km, Klay to Tubmanburg 22km, Madina to Robertsport 30km and Voinjama to Mendikorma 86km.
The ceremony which took place at the Bo Waterside port of entry over the weekend was graced by the presidents of both Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Upon completion, the Sierra Leonean construction company, Pavifort AL Associates Inc. which is carrying on the construction will operate a 20-year tolling system as well as maintenance phase under a Public Private Partnership framework.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Boakai noted that his administration had, from the early days of the campaign, prioritized the development of Liberia’s road network as a key pillar of national progress.
The Liberian leader reaffirmed his government’s commitment to transforming the country’s infrastructure, with a strong focus on road development aimed at improving connectivity and easing the burden on citizens, particularly in rural areas.
He described the current state of infrastructure as inadequate, highlighting that only about 10.26 percent of Liberia’s more than 14,000 kilometers of roads are paved.
“For a nation approaching 200 years, this is simply intolerable,” he said, while acknowledging that progress is being made but stressed the need for accelerated efforts.
He added that the government is working with available data to design a road network that meets the needs of the people, describing the initiative as “a matter of respect for our citizens.”
President Boakai also emphasized the strong ties between Liberia and neighboring Sierra Leone, noting shared borders, cultural connections, and historical links. He said the road project would enhance cross-border trade and contribute to achieving national development goals.
He disclosed that through a public-private partnership arrangement spanning 25 years, the government is mobilizing over US$300 million to construct a modern and durable road network, describing the initiative as a clear signal that Liberia is moving forward.
Also speaking, the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, underscored the regional significance of the project.
As Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), he said, the road strengthens the bloc’s free movement protocol and called on multilateral partners to study the Western Corridor model for possible replication across the region.
President Bio emphasized the importance of innovative financing, noting that public-private partnerships remain effective, especially at a time when global attention to regional challenges may be limited.
The Sierra Leonean leader thanked his Liberian counterpart for thinking progressively and in helping the both sides of the border, adding that he “chose cooperation over competition, partnership over pride” and describing it as what they called leadership.
Meanwhile, Alimou Sanu Barrie, CEO, Pavifort Al Associates Inc. of the company undertaking the project, described the road as a critical component in boosting cross-border trade, reducing transportation costs, and strengthening both local and national economies.
He added that the improved infrastructure would also help curb illegal activities such as smuggling and trafficking along border points.
The Pavifort AL Associates Inc. boss also thanked President Boakai for entrusting his company with the project and assured stakeholders of the firm’s commitment to delivering high-quality results.
“We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards and exceeding expectations,” he said.