-Work on US$45m second phase starts immediately
By Mark N. Mengonfia
Liberians in large number on Wednesday stood on the side of the road singing and dancing, showing their appreciation for the completion of the phase one of the Somalia Drive Road project, in the suburb of Monrovia.
The project is a grant and goodwill gesture of the government and people of Japan, costing US$50 million for the modern two-lane linking the Freeport of Monrovia to the Redlight in Paynesville and into the rest of rural Liberia.
Japan has agreed to a Liberian government request to do the second phase of the project, which is an additional two-lane on the same Somalia Drive, which will eventually be renamed the Japan Drive.
Liberian President George M. Weah on Wednesday officially dedicated phase one of the Road project and later broke grounds for the phase two of the project, which is estimated to cost US$45 million.
“We have come to dedicate Phase One of the Somalia Drive Road, a main link that provides access to thousands of people who live in Housing Estates on this side of this town. Therefore, completion of this phase of the project is expected to ease traffic congestion and bring new proficiency to trade and commerce, as well as bring improvement to the quality of life of those of our citizens who will no longer spend long hours in the traffic,” the President said.
President Weah praised the people of Japan for their kind gesture toward the people of Liberia adding that the project will ease Liberians long stay in traffic on the Somalia Drive Road.
“On behave of the people of Liberia, we want to thank JICA, we want to say thanks to the Japanese government and people for this kind gesture of friendship”.
The Liberian leader thanked the people of Japan and promised to remain engaged with them with the intention of strengthening the long standing bilateral relationship already existing between the two countries.
The Liberian leader did not forget the numerous contributions made by his predecessor, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf under whose administration the project started few years ago.
“I will be remiss if I did not acknowledge the contribution of my predecessor, her excellence madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who initiated this project, madam we want to say thank you, you known that road on our Pro-Poor agenda road connectivity is the order of the day and we will continue to build on what you started”.
He thanked those Liberian contractors who work alongside the Japanese encouraging them to translate those skills learned into reality.
The Somalia Road is one area in Liberia that experiences huge traffic , thus causing Libesailyrians to stay long hours in the traffic.
Speaking earlier, Japan Ambassador to Liberia, Tsutomu Himeno said the road project is a clear manifestation of the friendship between Liberia and Japan.
He of the quality of the road indicating that his Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) put more quality into the work.
Ambassador Himeno said the project was very important because it represents one of his government’s largest projects in the West African state that has strengthened the relationship of the two countries.
According to him, the second phase will commence on time and end as planned in a timely manner.
For his part, Public Works Minister, Mabutu Vlah Nyenpan, Sr. told the gathering that all the required arrangements are completed for the commencement of the remaining work that needs to be done to complete the additional two-lane.
According to him, Liberia is lagging behind with development and that the decision of President Weah to prioritize roads is in the best interest of Liberians and will greatly help the country get on par with other countries in the region.