Public Works Ministry Now In Action
Frank Sainworla, Jr. writes that at long last, the Liberian government through the Public Works Ministry has begun addressing concerns about the poor maintenance of the US$100 million Japan Freeway near Monrovia, which was officially dedicated on July 26, 2021 as gift from the Japanese government and people to Liberia.
Formally known as Somalia Drive, this road corridor linking the Freeport of Monrovia to the Redlight commercial District of Paynesville, has since been poorly maintained, both the asphalt pavement and the drainage and road corridor laden with garbage.
On Monday, July 6, 2026, this news outlet, www.newspublictrust.com published a short video podcast spotlighting the poor maintenance of this important road corridor. https://web.facebook.com/share/v/18s8BYZL5K/
In addition to a pictorial depicting the unattractive state of the Japan Freeway. A PICTORIAL: The Poorly Maintained US$100M Japan Freeway In Monrovia – News Public Trust
Well, just a day after (Tuesday, July 8, 2026) this news outlet ran a video podcast on how the US$100 million Japan Freeway constructed as a gift to Liberia by the Japanese government is being poorly maintained, Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah confirmed that the four-lane road is not in a decent condition. expressing serious concern.
Speaking at the Information Ministry’s Tuesday press conference in Monrovia on July 7, 2026, Minister Piah revealed that Japanese officials had earlier raised such concern.
He told Journalist that Liberia’s international development partners have also expressed concern over how existing infrastructure is being maintained. Liberian Gov’t Confirms Japan Freeway Is Being Poorly Maintained, As Japan Also Raises Concern – News Public Trust
So exactly eight days later (July 15, 2026), motorists and commuters using this strategic Freeport to Redlight road corridor begin to see the mobilization of road rehabilitation equipment by the Public Works Ministry starting from the Jamaica Road intersection, where deep potholes are being attended to. Of course with the road works going on at peak day-time traffic period, there are more than normal longer queues of vehicles.
Despite the temporary inconvenience being experienced by road users, many are expressing relief that finally, some actions are being taken by government authorities to put the Japan Freeway in a better shape.