NATIONAL NEWS
GOMPA CITY – The Government of Liberia has officially opened the National Infrastructure Conference in Nimba County, signaling a renewed national commitment to rebuilding and transforming the country’s deteriorating infrastructure after years of conflict and neglect.
President Joseph Boakai welcomed delegates to Nimba County, describing it as a historic hub of Liberia’s mining industry and a fitting venue for a national dialogue on infrastructure development.
The conference, which took nearly two years to plan, was convened in response to growing concerns over the poor condition of Liberia’s roads, public buildings, electricity supply, and access to safe water, sanitation, and housing.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
According to President Boakai, these challenges remain a visible legacy of the country’s civil conflict and have continued to impose daily hardship on citizens while constraining economic growth.
Addressing participants, the Liberian leader emphasized that infrastructure development must go beyond physical structures and focus on improving the lives and dignity of the Liberian people.
Roads, bridges, energy, and water systems, he noted, are not merely concrete, steel, wires, or pipes, but lifelines that shape opportunity, productivity, and national confidence.
The conference was described as an opportunity for an honest national conversation aimed at confronting infrastructure decay, identifying urgent repair needs, and charting a clear path toward rebuilding smarter and more resilient systems. The goal, participants were told, is not only to fix what is broken, but to design infrastructure that restores dignity and supports long-term national development.
Reflecting on Liberia’s post-war experience, the Liberian leader said years of civil conflict destroyed infrastructure that once symbolized national pride.
:While the scars of war remain visible, they also present an opportunity to rebuild better, using modern standards that are resilient to climate change, capable of generating jobs, stimulating industry, and promoting inclusive growth,” the President Said.
The conference aligns with the government’s ARREST Agenda and is consistent with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The administration, the speaker said, is committed to deliberate, inclusive, and forward-looking infrastructure development, moving away from fragmented and short-term approaches toward coordinated systems driven by innovation and technology.
Describing the gathering as a “call to action,” President Boakai stressed the need for readiness at all levels, including institutions, policies, and leadership, to drive sustainable infrastructure development across the country.
He concluded by thanking the Ministry of Public Works, development partners, and stakeholders, as well as regional and international guests, for their participation and support. The National Infrastructure Conference was then officially declared open.
