Monrovia, Liberia: President George Manneh Weah has officially dedicated Phase One of the Somalia Drive Road project. The Liberian leader, at the same time also broke ground for the commencement of Phase Two of the project.

 

 

Wednesday’s dedicatory ceremony marked the completion of the Phase I of the construction of the four-lane road, which began in 2014 but was interrupted by the Ebola epidemic. 

Speaking during the dedicatory ceremony on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 on the Bushrod Island, President Weah said when the work is fully completed, traffic congestion on the Somalia Drive will ease and serve as a major link between the capital and adjoining parts of Monrovia. 

 

 

President Weah said he was happy to be part of such an important program, which according to him will go down in history, especially when this government’s agenda is geared towards infrastructure, such as road. 

 

“We have come to dedicate Phase One of the Somalia Drive Road, a main link that provides access to thousands of people who live in Housing Estates on this side of this town. Therefore, completion of this phase of the project is expected to ease traffic congestion and bring new proficiency to trade and commerce, as well as bring improvement to the quality of life of those of our citizens who will no longer spend long hours in the traffic,” the President said. 

 

 

He lauded the government and people of Japan for their willingness to construct such a high quality road. “The road will bring relief and access to hundreds of our people and will enhance free movement along this corridor,” he said. 

 

 

He noted that the project is a demonstration of the longstanding bilateral relationship existing between both countries. “It is my understanding that when the road is completed, it will be named the Japan Freeway,” President Weah said.

 

 

He thanked his predecessor, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for initiating the project and promised to continue all projects the former Liberian President started during her tenure.   

 

 

Also speaking, Japanese Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Tsutomu Himeno thanked the government and people of Liberia for their support in the implementation of the project. He said the quality of the road is a classical epitome of Japan’s work.

 

 

Ambassador Himeno said the project was very important because it represents one of his government’s largest projects in the West African state that has strengthened the relationship of the two countries. 

 

 

According to him, the second phase will commence on time and end as planned in a timely manner. 

The cost of the First Phase of the project is put at US$50 million, while phase two will cost US$45 million.