MONROVIA – On December 12, 2016 the National Road Fund (NRF) Act, was enacted and published January 26, 2017, with its mission and vision being to ensure the financing of Roads and Bridges Maintenance and it’s Directly Associated programming, planning and Management activities.
The NRF’s vision is to ensure the quality of Liberia’s Roads, and Bridges Assets through regular program maintenance, that improves safety through the utilization of climate resilient technologies while securing and effectively management funds for national, sub-national, feeder roads, bridges and its associated planning and program.
The 2016 NRF Act mandates the collection of US$0.30 cents per gallon of petroleum products imported into Liberia.
According to the objectives of the Fund, the NRF is to ensure that road assets are sustained and that sufficient funds for both periodic and routine maintenance are allocated for this purpose; To ensure that each of the categories of national, sub-national and feeder roads have a sufficient share of the total budget such that these roads can operate as an integrated network; To defray the costs of loans approved by Government to extend the length of maintainable roads and; To ensure that the needs of the road users and those impacted by roads are considered in terms of safety, security and environment.
The National Road Fund monies collected would be exclusively devoted to periodic and routine maintenance of roads, bridges and directly associated facilities maintenance throughout the country. Emergency works to a maximum of 7% of annual expenditures on road maintenance by the fund. Rehabilitation and improvement work including paving of roads to a maximum of 40% of its annual revenue only through servicing of long-term loans for improvement of strategic roads. The road maintenance program is to be managed by the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) / Infrastructure Implementation Unit (IIU).
In 2016, the Government also introduced a fuel levy of 25c per gallon to resource the NRF. The National Budget Law for 2018/2019 factored a 30cent on per gallon of fuel. The GOL through the National Road Fund Office, and the Infrastructure Implementation Unit at MPW are collaborating with various partners, World Bank, African Development Bank, GIZ, Swedish Government, Europeans Union etc. in the implementation of the Annual Road Maintenance Expenditure Program throughout the Republic of Liberia.
In keeping with the Act that created the NRF, Senate President Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence wants every county in Liberia to get a fair share of the road fund, vowing that under her leadership at the Senate and with the support of her colleagues that they will happen in keeping with its oversight responsibility.
The Pro Tempore of the Senate noted that Senate will take decisive action in determining how the National Road Fund is allocated, ensuring that future allotments reflect geographical and political balance across the country.
She made the disclosure at a program organized by the Gibi District Development Association (GIDDA) in Worhn, Margibi County, and further went on to criticize the Ministry of Public Works for single-handedly determining road project priorities for too long.
“The government is doing much with roads, but we’ve allowed the Ministry of Public Works to decide which roads to prioritize,” she said. “Under my leadership, with the support of my colleagues in the Senate, we will ensure that every county gets a fair share of the road fund.”
As the Senate reopens for the second quarter of its second sitting under the 55th Legislature, Karnga-Lawrence said the Senate will push for collective decision-making on infrastructure development. She also pledged that, in consultation with fellow lawmakers, she will advocate for increased infrastructure funding in the 2026 national budget, with a focus on road connectivity.
“It’s time for action, not words,” she added. “Too many lavish programs are held that yield no real impact on the lives of ordinary people. For too long, Liberians have listened to great speeches that fail to translate into meaningful change.”
The Pro Tempore urged national leaders to demonstrate their commitment through practical initiatives that directly benefit citizens.
