By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
BONG COUNTY – In a significant step towards enhancing rural infrastructure and economic development, the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Public Works and with support from the Swedish Government, has officially launched the construction of 195 kilometers of Village Access Roads (VARs) across Bong, Lofa, and Nimba Counties.
The launch ceremony took place at Cuttington University in Suakoko, Bong County, and brought together an array of high-level government officials, donor partners, and community representatives.
Notable attendees included Bong County Senator Prince Moye, County Superintendents (via proxy) from Bong, Lofa, and Nimba, representatives from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), and officials from the Swedish Embassy accredited near Monrovia.
Deputy Minister for Rural Development and Community Services at the Ministry of Public Works, Madam Jocelia Taplah, lauded the Government of Sweden for its continued support to Liberia’s infrastructure sector.
She emphasized that the road construction initiative will significantly improve rural connectivity and economic opportunity.
“This project is more than building roads. It’s about empowering communities,” Taplah said. “By involving Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), we ensure that local voices and labor are central to this effort, which in turn enhances ownership and sustainability.”
Deputy Minister Taplah also extended appreciation to His Excellency President Joseph Nyumah Boakai for his commitment to national infrastructure development and rural transformation.
In her remarks, Bong County Superintendent Madam Loleya Hawa Norris expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Public Works and Sweden for selecting Bong as part of the beneficiary counties. She pledged the county’s full cooperation and highlighted the importance of the roads for farmers who face difficulties transporting their produce to local markets.
Representing the Swedish Embassy, Carl-Henrik Jacobson, Programme Officer for Inclusive Economic Development, reaffirmed Sweden’s dedication to strengthening bilateral ties with Liberia.
“Sweden and Liberia enjoy a longstanding relationship built on shared values such as democracy, human rights, and inclusive development,” Jacobson noted. “The VARs project stands as one of the most tangible examples of our partnership.”
Jacobson underscored that the road project demonstrates what can be achieved through mutual respect and collaboration between countries with shared development goals.
The Liberia Swedish Access Driven Rural Development Programme (LSADRDP), which is spearheading the initiative, was also represented by its Director, Mr. Elvis Mensahn. He provided a detailed breakdown of the project scope, highlighting the distribution of the 195 kilometers of road to be constructed:
- Bong County: 60 kilometers across Zota, Panta, Suacoco, Yelequelleh, Jorquelleh, and Salala Districts
- Lofa County: 45 kilometers across Zorzor, Voinjama, Kolahun, and Foya
- Nimba County: 90 kilometers across Bega, Doe, Sanniquellie Mahn, Gbehley-Geh, Zoe-Gbao, and Gbao Districts
The project is funded through a $5 million grant from the Swedish Government and is set to run from July 2024 to June 2026.
In addition to the road construction launch, the Ministry of Public Works and its partners also unveiled the Village Access Roads (VARs) Manual. According to Deputy Minister Taplah, the manual will serve as a national standard for future village road development and will form part of Liberia’s broader road classification framework.
As the project moves forward, stakeholders remain optimistic that these developments will serve as a catalyst for rural transformation, helping to lift thousands of Liberians out of poverty by opening access to markets, health facilities, and educational opportunities.
