Monrovia, Liberia – Mourad Bouaou, Director of Portfolio Management for the Public Sector at the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), had high-level and discussions with Ministers of Finance and Development Planning Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and Roland Lafayette Giddings, Minister of Public Works on Tuesday about the continued funding and accelerated implementation of the Gbarnga–Mendikorma Highway Project.
The meeting reaffirmed OFID’s long-standing support for Liberia’s road infrastructure development as one of the first Arab lenders backing the highway project, which is seen as an essential regional corridor connecting central Liberia to the northwest.
Information from the engagement indicates that the main topic of conversation was accelerating the implementation of the highway’s Salayea segment, which has been delayed because of logistical and budgetary issues. Although it is regarded as one of the more difficult sections of the corridor, the Salayea segment is essential for enhancing connectivity between Bong and Lofa counties.
The discussions covered the mobilization of additional funding from the OPEC Fund and other Arab development lenders to help the next phase of the project, namely the Salayea–Konia–Konia–Voinjama portion of the highway, in addition to expediting construction on the Salayea segment. It is anticipated that this portion will improve regional transit, trade, and agricultural transportation throughout northern Liberia.
Government representatives emphasized the highway’s significance to the national development agenda, pointing out that when it is finished, the entire Gbarnga–Mendikorma corridor will greatly shorten travel times, improve farmers’ access to markets, increase cross-border trade, and enhance the provision of social services to rural communities.
The PAVITO Agreement, which is presently awaiting ratification by the National Legislature, will provide funding for the Voinjama–Mendikorma portion of the highway, which is another crucial link in the corridor. The agreement is anticipated to unlock full funding for that portion once it is approved, allowing construction to start right away.
The long-delayed highway project, which has been described by successive governments as a strategic national goal for economic growth, regional integration, and poverty reduction, is showing fresh life thanks to the engagement between OFID and senior Liberian authorities.
Stakeholders are hopeful that the Gbarnga–Mendikorma Highway will soon see a significant construction push, providing much-needed relief to thousands of road users and communities along the corridor, as renewed financing talks are currently in progress and legislative action on the PAVITO agreement is still pending.
