NATIONAL NEWS
CAPITOL HILL — President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, has secured a US$3 million funding commitment from ArcelorMittal Liberia to support major road rehabilitation works in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, marking a significant step toward addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges in the coastal city.
The funding package, secured through direct engagement between Senator Karnga-Lawrence and the mining company, is separate from ArcelorMittal’s Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) and will be used exclusively for two priority road projects identified by local residents and community leaders.
The projects include the paving of Own Your Own Road, a major residential and commercial corridor linking several neighborhoods in Buchanan, and the maintenance and rehabilitation of Barconi Road, one of the city’s key access routes used daily by commuters, traders, and commercial transport operators.
By: Sampson W. Weah – sampsonwweah7@gmail.com
The commitment follows a Citizen Engagement Forum recently held in Buchanan, during which residents raised concerns over deteriorating road conditions, persistent flooding during the rainy season, and the negative impact of poor infrastructure on transportation costs and business activity.
At the forum, Senator Karnga-Lawrence assured citizens that their concerns would be translated into concrete action.
“This initiative is about turning community concerns into visible development,” Senator Karnga-Lawrence said. “The people spoke clearly about the condition of their roads, and it was my responsibility to ensure that those voices resulted in practical solutions.”
According to the senator, discussions with ArcelorMittal Liberia focused on the company’s broader responsibility to communities within its operational environment and the importance of supporting local development beyond contractual obligations.
The company subsequently agreed to provide the US$3 million funding package to address the identified road needs in Buchanan.
She noted that the intervention reflects a broader approach to legislative leadership that combines national policy responsibilities with attention to local development priorities.
“Legislative oversight must not be confined to the walls of the Capitol,” she said. “It must also respond to the realities people face in their communities, especially where poor infrastructure affects daily life and economic opportunity.”
The road rehabilitation works are expected to improve traffic flow, reduce travel time, and lower transportation costs for residents and traders. Improved access is also anticipated to enhance emergency response, school attendance, and local commerce.
The projects are expected to commence following final technical assessments and coordination with local authorities and implementing agencies. Upon completion, the upgraded roads will form part of a broader urban improvement effort aimed at strengthening Buchanan’s role as a commercial and transportation hub in Grand Bassa County.
