NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – Former Minister of Public Works Ruth Coker‑Collins has dismissed assertions that the previous administration failed to prepare the Monrovia–Zwedru road corridor, describing the claims as “politically convenient but technically false.”
Speaking from both engineering and policy perspectives, Coker-Collins argued that suggestions the past government “left a mess” deliberately distort the record and overlook groundwork already completed.
By: Sampson W Weah sampsonwweah7@gmail.com
“I openly acknowledged that the road to Zwedru was in a deplorable condition,” she said. “That is exactly why we took action. We did not make excuses—we established the technical and financial foundation to correct it.”
She explained that the corridor was divided into three contract lots under her leadership to ensure engineering control, financial accountability, and phased implementation:
- Ganta to Saclepea
- Saclepea to Tapita
- Tapita to Toe Town
Coker-Collins further disclosed that financing for the Toe Town to Zwedru segment had already been secured before the transition of government.
“These projects did not appear by chance,” she said. “Designs were completed, contracts awarded, and financing arranged. What the public is seeing today is the continuation of work that had already been prepared.”
Addressing claims that alternative routes could have been prioritized, she maintained that the alignment through Nimba County was selected based on engineering and economic considerations rather than politics.
“There is no direct highway from Monrovia to Zwedru that bypasses Nimba County,” she stated. “Alignment studies, traffic counts, and economic corridor assessments all pointed to the same conclusion. This was an engineering decision, not a political one.”
She emphasized that road construction follows a structured technical process—feasibility studies, design, procurement, financing, and contractor mobilization—and cannot be reduced to political rhetoric.
“No serious engineer claims highways are built overnight,” she said. “Each administration inherits a stage of work and is responsible for advancing it.”
Coker-Collins described it as irresponsible for current officials to dismiss the groundwork already laid, noting that measurable progress includes signed contracts, secured funding, approved designs, and initiated construction.
“Engineers do not measure progress with propaganda,” she said. “We measure it with verifiable records—and those records exist.”
She warned that efforts to discredit earlier work risk undermining public confidence in national development.
“Nation-building is not about tearing down foundations to appear taller,” she said. “It is about strengthening what already exists so the country can move forward.”
Coker-Collins concluded by urging national leaders to move beyond political blame and communicate honestly with citizens.
“The people deserve facts, not recycled talking points,” she said. “History will not be rewritten by rhetoric—it will be judged by what was actually done.”
