Public Works Clears EBID Hurdle for Grand Kru Road -Govt Defends Growth, Touts Reforms

MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia has moved to consolidate its infrastructure and economic narrative as the Ministry of Public Works secures critical external clearance for a major road project in the southeast, while simultaneously defending President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s economic growth claims. At a regular press briefing in Monrovia, senior officials linked progress on roads, energy, education, and aviation to broader macroeconomic reforms validated by international partners. With public debate intensifying over growth figures and development priorities, the administration is leaning heavily on International Monetary Fund assessments, multilateral financing approvals, and sector-wide initiatives to project confidence. As THE ANALYST reports, the convergence of infrastructure delivery, fiscal performance, and diplomatic engagement now places implementation—and public trust—at the center of the government’s development agenda.

The Ministry of Public Works has announced that it has received a “No Objection” from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) following the submission of a comprehensive Bid Evaluation Report (BER) for the pavement of a major road project in Grand Kru County.

Addressing the Ministry of Information’s regular Thursday press briefing, Deputy Minister for Administration Daniel O. Sando disclosed that the clearance paves the way for government to proceed with plans to asphalt a 50-kilometer road corridor linking Barclayville to Klohne and onward to Sasstown.

According to Deputy Minister Sando, the Ministry of Public Works is now positioning itself for the formal signing of a construction contract by mid-February 2026, describing the development as a significant milestone in efforts to improve road connectivity in Liberia’s southeastern region, which has long suffered from poor infrastructure.

Beyond infrastructure, Sando used the briefing to address public debate surrounding President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s declaration of 5.1 percent economic growth, as outlined in the President’s Annual Message to the Legislature.

He stated that the growth figure has been officially confirmed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following the successful completion of discussions under Liberia’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program.

Sando explained that the IMF Executive Board approved the ECF arrangement on September 25, 2025, granting Liberia access to Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) totaling approximately US$210 million over a 40-month period.

According to IMF assessments, Liberia’s macroeconomic stability continues to strengthen, supported by robust economic activity, declining inflation, and a relatively stable exchange rate.

Citing IMF findings, the Deputy Minister said Liberia’s performance under the ECF has remained strong since the second review, with economic and financial reforms continuing to advance.

Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is estimated at 5.1 percent in 2025, up from 4.0 percent in 2024, driven largely by strong mining activity and moderate expansion in the agriculture and services sectors.

Inflation, he added, declined sharply, averaging 4.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to 12.5 percent in the first quarter of the same year.

Fiscal performance has also improved, with the primary fiscal surplus rising from 1.3 percent of GDP in 2024 to 1.4 percent in 2025, exceeding the IMF program target of 1.1 percent.

The IMF, Sando noted, has emphasized that sustained reform implementation will be essential to consolidating macroeconomic stability, reducing debt vulnerabilities, and strengthening Liberia’s banking sector.

The Deputy Minister also announced that the Managing Director of the National Food Authority is leading a major fundraising initiative aimed at revitalizing the University of Liberia.

The campaign seeks to raise US$1 million to rehabilitate classrooms, renovate bathrooms, and improve electricity supply across the Capitol Hill campus. The fundraising event is scheduled for Friday, January 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Sando urged stakeholders and members of the public to support the initiative, stressing that strengthening Liberia’s premier public university is critical to human capital development and national progress.

On international engagement, he disclosed that Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti recently met with U.S. State Department official Nick Checker of the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations.

According to Sando, discussions focused on cooperation at the United Nations Security Council, regional infrastructure development, and joint efforts to address illegal immigration.

He said Liberia’s current non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council has elevated the country’s diplomatic relevance, attracting renewed international attention and positioning Liberia as a credible contributor to global peace and security discussions.

The United States, he added, views Liberia as a dependable partner in promoting responsible migration governance and addressing the root causes of irregular migration, including economic vulnerability and regional instability.

Responding to questions on the digital economy, Deputy Minister Sando revealed that the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has initiated engagements with Meta (Facebook) to enable monetization of Liberian digital content.

He disclosed that the head of the LTA recently traveled to Nigeria, where LTA Board Chairman Clarence Massaquoi met with Meta representatives to discuss technical and policy requirements for Liberia’s inclusion in global monetization programs.

Sando described the discussions as positive, expressing optimism that Liberian content creators will soon be able to monetize their work and participate more fully in the global digital economy.

He further confirmed that President Boakai earlier Thursday broke ground for the construction of a new Justice Complex on Capitol Hill, which will serve as a centralized hub for justice and security institutions, including the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, Liberian National Fire Service, Liberia Immigration Service, and the Ministry of Justice headquarters.

Turning to energy and aviation, Sando disclosed that MBH Power Limited is continuing installation of low-voltage distribution networks across the port city of Buchanan, which will connect more than 12,000 customers under the €20 million Light Up the Southeast Project.

He also announced that the Liberia Airport Authority has secured more than US$8 million in new European Union support to upgrade aviation safety, security, and infrastructure at Roberts International Airport.

The upgrades will include modern runway and taxiway lighting, improved air traffic control systems, new firefighting and emergency vehicles, enhanced passenger and baggage screening, and critical infrastructure repairs.

Foreign Minister Nyanti, who helped secure the funding, described Roberts International Airport as central to Liberia’s global image, noting that the investment will strengthen connectivity, tourism, and economic growth.