By Tokpa Tarnue tarnue82@gmail.com
The Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA) has broken grounds for a 40km road works in Liberia’s northwestern Lofa County.
The 40km of roads work is part of the implementation of a $27million United States Dollars World Bank Electrification project for Lofa County.
The ground breaking ceremony, which was held on September 5, 2018 in Mbaloma town, Lukasu district, brought together officials from the RREA, SSF, Local County officials and citizens of the county.
Speaking at the launching program, Rural and Renewable Energy Agency Executive Director Augustus V. Guanue disclosed that the road work will be carried out by the SSF Company with duration of one year beginning September 5, 2018 to September 5, 2019.
According to him, 5.5 of the km of road which is from Mbaloma town to the Kihia #2 River will be a complete new road while the remaining 34.5km which is from Mbaloma town to through Bolahun, Massabolahaun and up to the Vahun junction will be rehabilitated by the company.
He said the road work will not only provide means for the electricity but will also provide easy access to citizens of the area to transport their commodities to the markets.
“This will also allow our contractors to move in quickly with their materials for the construction of the mini hydro system” he emphasized.
Ground breaking for the 40km road in Lofa County
Speaking on behave government at the ceremony, Lofa County Superintendent William Tamba Kamba thanked the World Bank for the support to the people of Lofa and Liberia at large.
Hon. Kamba said the provision of electricity to the people of Lofa is a key component for the development of the county.
According to him, the government of Liberia remains grateful to the World Bank and other partners that are supportive in the executed of its Pro-Poor Agenda.
“When this project is completed, I know and believe that it will boost our county’s economic activities” superintendent Kamba lamented.
He also assured the RREA and the World Bank that that his office remains committed to the successful in the implementation of the project in the county.
“Let me quickly also called on you (RREA) to please consider other districts like Vahun, Salayea, Quardu Gboni and Zorzor for the extension of this project,” he concluded.
As part of the implementation of the project the -earth environmental consultancy Inc has conducted a socio-economic survey for the preparation of the resettlement Action plan for the kaiha 2 mini hydropower project in the county.
The aimed of the survey was to engage relevant stakeholders within the right-of-way and project areas, as well as to assess and determine potential impacts, likely to occur as a result of the proposed project and to recommend appropriate measures to mitigate or prevent the occurrence of these impacts.
The Rural Renewable Energy Agency contracted the Earth Environmental consultancy Inc to conduct the socio-economic environmental survey in the county.
The disclosure was made recently by Mr. Mulbah Nupolu environmental manager, Earth Environmental consultancy Inc
According to him, it is keeping with the environmental protection and management law of Liberia 2003 annex 1(section 6) which states that all new projects under the environmental law of Liberia categorized under E. I. a mandatory listing including energy industries, road construction, among others.