a Ministry of Public Works release
MONROVIA, LIBERIA – A technical and financial delegation from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) met with Ministry of Public Works (MPW) officials this week to review ongoing projects and discuss potential funding for road and energy expansion.
According to a Ministry of Public Works official release, Public Works Minister Roland Lafayette Giddings provided an update on the Gbarnga-Salayea-Madicoma road project, which currently stands at 85% completion. Minister Giddings proposed an extension of the partnership to cover the remaining 64 kilometers required to connect Voinjama City, Lofa County, to the national corridor.
Project Status and Expansion Requests
The SFD has been a long-standing partner in Liberia’s infrastructure sector. The Ministry is currently advocating for additional financing to bridge the final gap to Voinjama, citing the strategic importance of the route for regional trade and accessibility.
“We believe the SFD will see the rationale of exploring additional financing possibilities, with a specific focus on connecting Voinjama City,” Minister Giddings stated during the briefing.
Addressing “Binding Constraints”
The SFD delegation, led by Abdulrahman Bin Ahujaa AlHabri, Director of West Africa Operations, confirmed that the mission’s primary objective is twofold:
- Assessment: Evaluating the current progress and technical standards of the Gbarnga-Madicoma project.
- Evaluation: Reviewing new financing requests aimed at addressing Liberia’s primary “binding constraints”—roads and energy.
Procurement Concerns and Efficiency
While expressing a willingness to explore new mutually beneficial financing channels, the SFD delegation issued a cautionary note regarding project management. Mr. AlHabri highlighted frequent delays during procurement processes as a point of concern for the Fund. He urged the Government of Liberia (GoL) to implement more proactive measures in future agreements to ensure timelines are met and resources are utilized efficiently.
The SFD Delegation included Abdulrahman Bin Ahujaa AlHabri, Director of West Africa Operations, Ahmed Alhumaid, Monsour Alhumaidan and Mohammed Alshehri.