The European Union (EU) has provided initial funding of EUR 6 million (USD 6.87m) to help Liberia pave the road connection from Sanniquelle to Loguato with asphalt.An EU press release issued Thursday, 25 October says the EU regional envelope for West Africa also allocated EUR 14.2 million to this project.
The European Investment Bank is expected to contribute EUR 17 million, according to the release. Liberia has only some 500 km of asphalted roads, most of which were recently upgraded with co-funding from the EU. Of the international [links] connecting roads, only the road to Sierra Leone is asphalted on the Liberian side, but all other international links are gravel roads that need to be improved, the release continues.
It says the Sanniquelle – Loguatuo road section of 47 km, which links to Côte d’Ivoire is the only remaining non-asphalted section of the West African Highway linking Nouakchott-Dakar-Lagos and is part of the ECOWAS and Mano River Union (MRU) regional corridor. The project also includes the building of a one stop border post to facilitate a rapid processing of cross border trade.
The Sanniquelle- Loguatuo road project is expected to be implemented within 48 months.
“This is a vital contribution to a project costing in excess of EUR 52 million. I am proud that, with an effort spanning several years, my team has achieved to leverage significant additional loans and convincing the European Investment Bank and the African Development Bank to partner in this initiative,” Madam Hélène Cavé, Ambassador, Head of the EU Delegation in Liberia says.
According to her, this will dramatically improve regional connectivity, trade, electricity transmission and the wellbeing of women, men and children living in the area.This latest support from the EU is part of a broader development portfolio for Liberia in support of the achievement of Government’s Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, especially Pillar Two which focuses on improving the economy and jobs through investment in infrastructure development.–Press release
