US$ 332.95 million road sector reform program in three countries in the sub-region.

The Governments of Liberia, Ivory Coast and Guinea launched the joint border road construction program in Cocody, Ivory Coast recently.

The MRU Road Development and Transportation Facilitation Program is funded through the Transitional Support Fund and the African Development Fund.

Components of the project are the pavement of a 47.8km road from Danane in Ivory Coast to Guinea and the 65km road connecting Blolequin to Toulepleu in Cote d’Ivoire towards the Liberia border.

The project also covers the 28 km road from Taboo in Cote d’Ivoire to the Liberian border and the 30.75 km road from Lola (CI) to Guinea as well as the 96 km road from Karloken, Fish Town and Harper junction-Cavalla customs in Liberia.

Disclosing this in an interview with the Liberia News Agency Monday, the acting Director of Communications and Documentation at the Ministry of Public Works, Gregory Stemn, said the coordination is intended to support post-conflict economic recovery within the sub-region.

Mr. Stemn said the program will improve roads and intra-community trade, transport conditions on affected routes, and reduce transportation costs between the three countries as well as improve the living conditions of people in these areas.

The project also includes the construction of a pre-stressed concrete girder bridge over the Cavalla River on the Liberia and Ivory Coast borders.

Other aspects of the program include creating awareness among road users, and the control and supervision of construction work and equipment (weighing station) of two joint border posts.

It also covers the construction of four market centers; two in Liberia and two in Ivory Coast as well as training of women traders in Liberia.
LINA/RD/TSS