Rep. Bartekwa recommends for US$2.2B loan

Grand Kru County District Two Representative Numene T. H. Bartekwa has called on the House of Representatives to seek concurrence from the Liberian Senate to request President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to lobby with international financial institutions or friendly governments for a loan of US$2.2billion on behalf of the country for road construction.

He said such loan would enable the government to pave all primary roads in the Country once and for all to address problems of bad roads always experienced during the rainy season here.

In his argument, Rep. Bartekwa said effective social service delivery by government is contingent on improved road networks.

He noted that developing roads across the country will surely lead to national economic stimulation, stressing the need to take necessary action in addressing the problem.

“It is important that this body takes the appropriate action that will provide lasting solution to the problems of primary roads development in the country,” Rep. Bartekwa said.

The Grand Kru County lawmaker said his call in response to recent hearing by the Minister of Public Works, William Gyude Moore before the House when he informed lawmakers that the only remedy to the road challenge is to pave all primary roads in the country at an estimated cost of US$2.2 billion.

“Accordingly, and in consonance with Article 34 d(iii) which states that no loans shall be raised by the government on behalf of the Republic or guarantees given for any public institution or authority otherwise than by or under the authority of legislative enactment’’, he further stressed.

The Ministry of Public Works had disclosed that its needs about US $2.2 billion to connect all 15 counties capital with straight two-lane paved roads, which will empower citizens, especially marketers in rural areas to have easy access to markets.

By Bridgett Milton-Editing by Jonathan Browne