By Stephen N. Sonpon
MONROVIA, June 3 (LINA) – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has officially broken ground for the construction of an 86-kilometer asphalt highway that will connect Mendicorma in Foya District to Voinjama City, the administrative capital of Lofa County.
Speaking Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the groundbreaking ceremony in Mendicorma, President Boakai described the project as a major milestone in his administration’s infrastructure development agenda and a critical investment aimed at strengthening regional connectivity, boosting trade, and enhancing economic opportunities for communities in Lofa County and neighboring countries.
The Liberian leader emphasized the strategic significance of the road corridor, noting that the highway will not only benefit the people of Lofa County but also deepen economic and cultural ties among communities within the Mano River Union region.
“Where this project is, it is going to serve not just the people of Lofa,” President Boakai said. “We have predominantly people with interwoven cultures, commercial interests, and ethnic identities.”
President Boakai used the occasion to commend the Ministry of Public Works for what he described as its renewed commitment and determination toward national development projects.
He acknowledged that the Ministry initially appeared hesitant in handling major infrastructure initiatives but praised the leadership of Public Works Minister Lafayette Roland Giddings for turning the situation around.
“The Ministry has demonstrated courage and hard work,” the President stated, urging Minister Giddings and his team to maintain the momentum and ensure the timely and effective implementation of the project.
The President also praised Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio for fostering collaboration and strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation between Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Addressing Liberians broadly, President Boakai called on citizens to rise above divisive politics and unite around national development priorities, especially initiatives aimed at expanding infrastructure, advancing human capital development, and creating opportunities for younger generations.
“To those fighting, it is Liberia that matters most,” President Boakai declared. “We need development to open up every part of this country to create opportunities for the younger and next generations to come.”
The Liberian Chief Executive stressed that Liberia remains the shared responsibility of all citizens and urged the population to work collectively toward national progress.
President Boakai further predicted that the Mendicorma–Voinjama Highway Project would significantly stimulate economic growth across the Mano River Union region, given its close proximity to Sierra Leone and Guinea.
The ceremony brought together several high-level government officials, lawmakers, diplomats, traditional leaders, private sector representatives, and regional stakeholders, all of whom described the initiative as historic and transformational for Liberia and the sub-region.