Capitol Hill, Monrovia – President Joseph N. Boakai announced the nationwide deployment of a new fleet of government-owned yellow machines, a significant step toward ending decades of inadequate road maintenance and seasonal isolation throughout Liberia, just days after Minister of Information Jerolinmek Piah informed Liberians that the government had announced plans to return 35 earth-moving machines, also known as “Yellow machines,” back to China.
During his third speech to the nation since assuming office on Monday, January 26, 2026, President Boakai disclosed that the SCARF 285 yellow machines the government purchased last year are currently in operation and will be placed at county hubs to assist with ongoing road maintenance and emergency response.
According to the President, the equipment will be essential for guaranteeing year-round access to major and feeder roads, especially during the rainy season when communities are frequently cut off from schools, hospitals, and marketplaces.
“These assets will support our road maintenance efforts and form a crucial part of our disaster response preparedness across the country, stressing that road connectivity is not a slogan but a commitment of his administration,” Boakai told lawmakers.
He noted that the deployment coincides with notable improvements in road infrastructure, such as the upkeep of more than 780 kilometers of important roads and the rise in Liberia’s paved road network from less than 12% to 20% in a matter of years.
The President revealed that a number of important corridors, like the Buchanan Greenway, Sanniquellie to Ganta, and Tappita to Zwedru, have already benefited from increased connectivity, lowering transportation costs, and lessening hardship for regular people.
Boakai stated that the government hopes to decrease the long-standing reliance on private contractors for routine road maintenance and minimize delays brought on by equipment shortages by decentralizing the machines to county hubs.
Additionally, he stated that the program improves Liberia’s ability to respond to disasters, guaranteeing quicker action in the event of landslides, floods, and other crises that routinely destroy road infrastructure.
Photo credit: Executive Mansion
