Liberia’s Roads Development Program Takes a Giant Leap, As World Bank Mission Commits to Financing the Legacy Economic Corridor
A World Bank delegation led by Anne-Cecile Souhaid met with the Ministry of Public Works to further discuss the potential development of the Legacy Economic Corridor (LECO) traversing Grand Bassa, Bong, and Nimba Counties.
During a high level meeting at the Ministry, she conveyed the Bank's warmest sentiments and disclosed its willingness to provide financing for the development of the corridor given its potential in harnessing growth within the agriculture (rice & cassava production), mining, and transportation sectors. "The Bank's vision is strictly aligned with the project objectives, because it seeks to reduce poverty among vulnerable people, ensuring justice and equality", she mentioned.
Ellin Ivarsson, a member of the World Bank's delegation, was designated to present the full proposal that had been developed by the Bank. In what could be termed as a comprehensive overview, she presented a three-component proposal as to how the World Bank intends to finance the construction of the Legacy Economic Corridor as well as the rationale befitting such support.
Making remarks Minister Roland Layfette Giddings, on behalf of the Government of Liberia, thanked the Bank for demonstrating strong interest towards Liberia's reconstruction drive, ensuring poverty alleviation, justice, and equality.
While he was inclined to explain the full context of Liberia's proposal to the World Bank to finance such a landmark project, he, however, created a seismic twist to the project by asking the Bank to rethink the possibility of paving cities through which the corridor would pass. He quickly recounted how the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP-I&II) passed through major cities like Seclepea and Tapita without considering pavement within those areas to actualize the project objectives, which, he believes, significantly misses out on many things.
Minister Giddings furthered that for the project objectives to be achieved, the players of the local economy must be able to interact with the main corridor through these inner-city connectivities.
"It does not look good for such a modern road to pass through Seclepea and Tapita while those cities remain unpaved. We think it is a mistake that must be corrected beginning with the Legacy Economic Corridor that impacts three populated counties with high economic viability", Minister Giddings lamented.
Additionally, Minister Giddings informed the Bank's delegation that the draw down of the Swedish support may create a huge vacuum in the Ministry's Village Access Roads Project, which has helped artisanal farmers to get their produce to wider markets.
The Minister made further requests for the Bank to give strong consideration to the project. He argued that shutting down the project only retrogresses the gains the Ministry has made over the years.
