Reported by: Prince Saah
Monrovia, Liberia – Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, has reassured the public that funding is no longer a significant barrier to the long-awaited Bong–Voinjama–Mendikorma Highway Project’s implementation, stating that “money is not a problem” for the revolutionary road project.
Speaking at the project’s official launch, Minister Ngafuan revealed that the highway’s funding package is the outcome of almost 16 years of preparation, discussions, technical research, and persistent work by successive Liberian administrations. He clarified that the voyage started in 2010 when then-President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf ordered the government to give the road project top priority as a significant development intervention for Lofa County during Liberia’s debt-relief discussions under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.
Ngafuan claims that the road has long been recognized as an important infrastructure project, especially after large road investments had been made in other regions of the nation. The Finance Minister disclosed that the highway’s original technical sketch, which was created in 1989 prior to the start of Liberia’s civil war, was provided by then-Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, who significantly contributed to the initiative’s advancement.
But according to Ngafuan, the idea was eventually presented to the Kuwait Fund amid discussions about Liberia’s debt cancellation, which resulted in an initial US$2 million funding to carry out a feasibility study. The Arab Coordination Group, which includes the Saudi Fund and other Arab development finance organizations, later provided more support due to the feasibility studies.
Ngafuan acknowledged that a number of obstacles, like the 2014 Ebola outbreak, hindered the project’s progress, but he commended succeeding administrations for their dedication to the roadway and for keeping it on the national development agenda. Additionally, he acknowledged that President Boakai personally gave members of the government delegation instructions to return to Kuwait and resume negotiations regarding the funding package, which he credited with giving the initiative new life after taking office.
With the funding now secured, Ngafuan expressed confidence that the project will move forward and bring significant economic and social benefits to communities along the corridor. “Money is not a problem, emphasizing that the government is committed to ensuring the successful implementation of the highway,” he stated.
According to Liberia’s Finance Minister, the road is anticipated to enhance market accessibility, lessen transportation obstacles, encourage trade, link rural villages, and open up new economic prospects throughout Lofa County and surrounding areas.
Additionally, Ngafuan praised the Ministry of Public Works, led by Minister Roland Layfette Giddings Gaye, for its contribution to the project’s advancement. He stated that the Boakai administration’s top development goals are road infrastructure and power, emphasizing that expenditures in these areas are crucial to increasing economic opportunities and enhancing Liberians’ quality of life.
