NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The Ministry of Public Works has signed a contract with Consolidated Contractor Offshore SAL & Consolidated Engineering and Trading Co. SAL Joint Venture (ICCO-CET-JV) for the paving of an 85-kilometer road stretch from the Ivorian border through Toe’s Town to Zwedru in Grand Gedeh County.
By: Kabina S. Kabah – kabinaskabah98@gmail.com
The project falls under the Rural Economic Transformation Project II (RETRAP 2), which is designed to strengthen Liberia’s road network, boost agricultural development, and enhance trade and commerce between Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire.
RETRAP 2 is jointly financed by the World Bank through the International Development Association (IDA), the Liberia Development Trust Fund, and the Government of Liberia.
It is expected to benefit about 900,000 farmers and road users, with a strong focus on improving rural livelihoods and building economic resilience among households.
Boost to Agricultural Development
The project is expected to connect southeastern Liberia to central regions, significantly improving cross-border trade between Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire.
Public Works Minister Roland Layfette Giddings emphasized the project’s importance to agricultural growth, noting that “when completed, the project will improve agricultural programs through trade and commerce between Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire.”
Accelerating Implementation
Minister Giddings also announced a change in the implementation sequence, stating that civil works will begin from Zwedru towards Toe’s Town, rather than the original plan, in order to accelerate progress.
The project is expected to be completed within 36 months, at a cost of just over US$63 million.
The Ministries of Public Works and Agriculture have pledged strong collaboration to ensure successful implementation.
Agriculture Minister Alexander Nuetah stressed that road infrastructure is central to the performance of government institutions, warning that weaknesses in the road sector could negatively affect key sectors, including agriculture.
A Key Development Milestone
According to Emmanuel Baker, Programme Manager at the Infrastructure Implementation Unit (IIU), the RETRAP 2 project underwent a rigorous procurement process, with 23 firms initially competing for the contract. ICCO-CET-JV emerged as the most responsive bidder.
He described the project as a major milestone in Liberia’s infrastructure development agenda.
The project is expected to significantly improve access to markets and services for rural communities, strengthening their economic resilience and overall living standards.
With the contract now signed, implementation is set to begin, marking a major step toward improving infrastructure and boosting economic activity in southeastern Liberia.
