Robert Mensah, Chief Zooning Officer and Demolition Coordinator at the MPW, told reporters that the exercise targets abundant vehicles, scrap metal from vehicles and debris from within 75 feet of the edge of the existing riding surface on the left side of the road starting from the Free Port of Monrovia.

Mensah explained that the entire clearing and demolition exercise covers 150 feet but that they are now doing the 75ft on the left side with the other 75 feet on the right side of the road to follow later.

He said the exercise was necessary because the Japanese contractors have begun returning to Liberia to resume construction of the Somalia Drive during this Dry Season.

The MPW Zooning Officer and Demolition Coordinator however noted that the resumption of the project could face challenges with the encroachment of the right away of the road by some unscrupulous individuals.

He said prior to the commencement of the exercise, the MPW used three weeks to sensitize individuals encroaching on the right of way of the road to vacate to facilitate the implementation of the project, but to no avail.

Mensah wondered why these people should continue to encroach on the road when the Ministry carried out similar exercise last year and those affected were compensated by the Liberian Government.    

The Japanese contractors under the Dai Nippon Construction Company departed the country in 2014 due to the Ebola outbreak with the intent to return after the health crisis was brought under control.

The Somalia Drive Road Project is being funded by the Government of Japan.

LINA/HVW/TSS