Public Works, USAID launch road program

The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Public Works, says the United States Agency for international Development (USAID), yesterday, launched a four year-Feeder Road Alternative and Maintenance Program (FRAMP) in Liberia. 

FRAMP will support the Government of Liberia to develop, operationalize and implement a sustainable feeder road routine maintenance system, while piloting construction of alternative roads through research and development type interventions.

The program will be implemented in four counties – Bong, Grand Bassa, Lofa and Nimba Counties. CARDNO Emerging Markets USA has been contracted by USAID to implement the program.

Speaking yesterday at the launch, USAID Liberia Mission Director Anthony S. Chan described the launch of FRAMP as a critical step in linking farmers and rural dwellers to markets, as well as helping to spark the market-driven growth so essential to Liberia’s long term development.

He said without roads, people living in Liberia’s rural communities face great obstacles in accessing good health, education and other social services. Also speaking, the President of Cardno, Americas Mark Swatek said the project will help create jobs for improved livelihood and increase access to central market and school.

He said the team will work very hard with the government in implementing the road project. The Minister of Public Works, William Gyude Moore, said the launch meant that the government – across all levels, was working together on this program, indicating that the project is very important to the country because all plank bridges will be replaced with concrete to last for the next 10 to 15 years.

He also called on the Legislature to pass the bill for road maintenance funds, emphasizing that with this road maintenance, if the bill passes or not, the road will be in good condition.
He said for the last 2 months, the bill has been with the Legislature – having promised to pass the bill.

By Bridgett Milton-Editing by Jonathan Browne