MONROVIA — As Liberia braces for the dry season, the Ministry of Public Works gathered road contractors to present its plan and set clear expectations, emphasizing a concerted push to complete substantial road infrastructure work during the dry period.
In a statement posted on the ministry’s official Facebook page, officials described the meeting as both strategic and essential for reiterating the dry-season goal and ensuring contractors understand the importance of meeting the ministry’s objectives.
Opening remarks from Minister Roland Layfette Giddings praised the contractors for their steadfast commitment to Liberia’s development, particularly noting the road rehabilitation and maintenance works delivered under the President’s 100-Day Deliverables, which he said evolved from President Boakai’s policy statement that “No Car Will Get Stock in the Mud.” He expressed gratitude for the contractors’ patriotism in restoring badly degraded roads and preparing them for all seasons—rainy and dry.
“Today, we have called you here to formally acknowledge your enormous contributions to this country, and we want to admonish you to approach this dry season with even higher vigor, knowing that your responsibility is not only to Liberia, but to you as citizens,” the minister stated.
Deputy Minister for Technical Services, Prince D. Tambah, informed the contractors that October 15 has been designated as the official start date for all civil works, including road rehabilitation, maintenance, and construction, as well as the installation of Bailey bridges and the construction of reinforced-concrete bridges. Tambah cautioned that works must be completed within the designated timelines and that excuses would not be entertained. He urged contractors to have their equipment ready and to comply with minimum standards, adding that signages must be installed to uphold public safety during construction.
“The Ministry has also carried out reforms in the payment process, aimed at easing the constraints contractors face in receiving payment for completed works,” Tambah said. He noted that the ministry has engaged with relevant entities to expedite payments.
Contractors responded with appreciation for the ministry’s leadership and pledged to support the sector’s goals. They also asked the ministry to revisit payment methods to address currency fluctuations and ensure payments align with each contract’s designated currency, warning that volatility can erode profit margins. Nevertheless, they affirmed their readiness to begin substantial works on the scheduled date.
Concluding the session, Minister Giddings reiterated the imperative to maximize the dry season, noting that substantial, in-situ progress is achievable only during this period. He referenced the Octopus Strategy framework and said full implementation would be in play during the dry season, with expectations of delivering the best outcomes from all contractors involved.
The gathering was attended by senior ministry leaders, including the Deputy Ministers for Administration, Rural Development & Community Services, Planning & Research, Operations, and Construction, among others.
