PHOTO: Depicting the rubbish on the eve of Christmas 2020
By Our Staff Writer
Constructed as a US$50 million free gift of the Japanese government to people of Liberia, this two-lane section of the Somalia Drive now known as the Japan Freeway was completed and dedicated prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but heaps of garbage can be seen on some portions on the sidewalk of this modern road.
Photos in this piece depicts what some sections of this Freeway looks like on the eve of Christmas 2020 (Thursday, December 24, 2020).
The Japan Freeway links the Freeport of Monrovia to Redlight, Paynesville and it leads to a large section of rural Liberia. Thanks to the government and people of Japan, this project is of no cost to Liberia. Frist two lanes cost Japan US$50M and the second two lanes, which are being completed, cost US$45M in grant.
In the DNC Company construction package of the Japanese Contractors was sidewalk development and beautification, with flowers planted along this Road from the seaport to the Red Light.
But sadly besides the garbage, even the beautification left behind by the Japanese is not being maintained and weed dominating the shoulders of the road, making the Japan Freeway look link a rather old road. Stench oozing from the garbage knocks one out and poses health hazard.
As the second two-lane is being completed, street lights have been installed in the middle of this four-lane 13.4km road. When the lights are turned on, this will make this road unique. Thanks to Japan and the DNC Company doing the work.
But with the piling of garbage on the shoulders of this very important Japan Freeway with most of the flowers planted on the sides for beautification are being left to die or grass withering it.
The old adage goes: “When someone is washing your back, you must wash your stomach.”