MONROVIA – Liberians have been increasingly vocal about their disappointment with the ruling Unity Party’s slow pace in delivering on its campaign promises since its inauguration in January 2024. The party’s pledge to “rescue Liberians” from economic hardship and poor governance has been met with skepticism, as many citizens struggle to make ends meet and witness subpar performance from government ministries and agencies. But as The Analyst reports, despite these challenges, the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) is suggesting a growing momentum in the government’s efforts to address vexing issues, though critics caution that Liberians should remain cautiously optimistic about the government’s pronouncements, given the country’s history of slow progress and unmet promises.
As the government continues to work towards meeting its campaign promises, Liberians will be watching closely to see tangible improvements in their lives. The Unity Party’s ability to deliver on its promises will likely play a significant role in shaping the country’s future and the government’s legitimacy in the eyes of its citizens.
The Government of Liberia has made significant announcements across various sectors, including public works, energy, and public safety.
Deputy Minister for Public Affairs at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) Daniel Sando, speaking during the ministry’s regular press briefing Thursday, October 9, 2025, made known a series of developments across major sector.
Road Civil Works to Commence on October 15
“The Ministry of Public Works has set October 15 as the official date for the commencement of all road civil works,” Sando said. “This includes road rehabilitation, maintenance, construction, and installation of bridges.”
He declared that all contractors were expected to adhere to the timelines and ensure that their work meets the required standards, particularly with regards to public safety,” said Daniel Sando.
Rural Electrification Update
On electrification, he said the Government of Liberia, through the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA) and with support from the European Union, is actively rolling out electricity access activities for residents of Buchanan, Greenville, and Barclayville under the Light Up South-East (LUSE) Project.
“This project is a testament to our commitment to enhancing energy infrastructure and promoting economic growth in underserved communities,” Sando noted.
Police Update on Officer-Involved Shooting
Sando also spoke to recent Congo Town shooting incident, stating that the Liberia National Police deeply regretted the tragic incident involving an officer-involved shooting in Congo Town.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and urge the public to remain calm while keeping the injured officer in their prayers,” he said, adding, that a comprehensive investigation has been launched, and the Professional Standards Department has been mandated to review the officers’ actions.
Resolution of Strike Action at ELWA Hospital
Speaking further, the senior MICAT official said they were pleased to announce that the Ministry of Health has resolved the strike action at ELWA Hospital.
The Ministry, according to him, reaffirmed its commitment to improving the welfare of health workers and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery. We appreciate the efforts of all parties involved in resolving this matter.
Launch of National Harvest Season and Gbedin Rice Brand
He announced that the Ministry of Agriculture launched the National Harvest Season in Seyikimpa and introduced the locally produced ‘Gbedin Rice’ brand.
Sando stated: “This initiative underscores our commitment to promoting local food production and reducing rice importation. We aim to make locally produced rice more competitive and support farmers through initiatives like the Agriculture Enterprise Development Bank.”
Here are the key takeaways from the Thursday, October 9, 2025 MICAT press briefing:
The Ministry of Public Works on yesterday started the engagements with road contractors ahead of the dry season to convey its plan and make known its expectations, stressing the importance of using the time to achieve a significant level of works that will go a long way in changing the narratives around road infrastructure.
The Ministry believes that the move was not only strategic, but one that afforded it the opportunity to clearly restate its goal for the dry season, and ensured that the contractors understood the depth of importance attached to achieving its objectives.
The Ministry informed the contractors that October 15th is the official date for the commencement of all civil works ranging from road rehabilitation, maintenance, & construction, to the installation of bailey bridges, as well as the construction of reinforced concrete bridges.
The Ministry cautioned the contractors to ensure that all works are executed within the required timelines, as it is not positioned to consider excuses and urged contractors to ensure that their equipment are readied before the scheduled date, and that their works must meet the minimum standard the Ministry has set especially on public safety by installing signage during the construction process.
RURAL ELECTRICIFICATION UPDATES
With a 42 Million Euros grant support from the European Union, the Government of Liberia, through the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency and the National Authorizing Office of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning actively rolling out agreed electricity access activities for residents of Buchanan, Greenville and Barclayville. This is all being made possible through the Light Up South-East (LUSE) Project.
The LUSE is part of the EU’s support to the Government and people of Liberia , and is part of support to Liberia’s energy transition initiatives from reliance to fossil powered fuel generated power to renewable and it specifically targets underserved rural communities in the southeastern region to have access affordable and reliable electricity. The actions of the project is aligned with Liberia’s development agenda – the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
The project being funded under the 11th European Development Fund is envisaged that when completed, the project outcomes would be contributing to enhanced energy infrastructure, promote economic growth and improve the quality of life for thousands of citizens in the targeted project areas by increase access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for productive use.
For Buchanan, the RREA will build the power distribution backbone that comprises 1 km of 33kV sub-transmission line from the CLSG substation along with 59 km 33 kV LV lines, 500 streetlights to will allow for connection of power to over 8,603 service connections to homes, businesses and public facilities. 500 streetlights, cables, conductors, and surge arresters have been manufactured and shipped to Liberia.
Total investment for Buchanan is 9 million Euros.
Already, our contractor has delivered 385 concrete poles, with an additional 900 pole to be delivered before this weekends.
For Greenville, the project scope covers the installation of a 33/0.4 kV distribution network that includes 55 km of 33 kV linea, 193 km of LV lines and 4,480 service connections. Additionally, the project supplying and installing 877 kWp Solar PV plant with Battery Energy Storage capabilities, as well as constructing a 2 MW mini hydropower plant.
So far, over 600 concrete poles have been delivered to Greenville. A total of 36 transformers are in Monrovia awaiting dispatch to Greenville, 200 streetlights, cables, conductors and surge arresters have been manufactured and shipped to Liberia.
POLICE UPDATES OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING FOLLOWING MULTIPLE STABBINGS INCIDENT IN CONGO TOWN
At approximately 14:58 hours, the Liberia National Police (LNP) Radio Room received a distress call reporting that a police officer had been stabbed multiple times near the old LACC building in Congo Town.
Responding officers identified themselves as police and ordered the suspect to surrender. After repeated verbal commands were ignored, officers attempted to open the door. The suspect charged with a cutlass, striking and deeply wounding a second officer on his arm as he raised it to shield his head.
A third officer intervened and successfully disarmed the suspect of the cutlass, unaware that the suspect had a concealed knife tucked in his trousers. The suspect then stabbed the third officer in the thigh and attempted another thrust toward his abdomen.
Facing an immediate and life-threatening situation, and in accordance with the LNP Use of Force Continuum, one of the officers discharged his service weapon, instantly neutralizing the threat and preventing further harm to his colleagues.
The suspect and the injured officers were rushed to the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, where one officer remains in critical condition. Following emergency treatment, the suspect was pronounced dead.
The Liberia National Police deeply regrets this tragic incident, extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, and urges the public to remain calm while keeping the injured officer in their prayers.
A comprehensive investigation has been launched to establish all facts surrounding the incident. In line with institutional accountability, the Professional Standards Department (PSD) has been mandated to review the officers’ actions to ensure full compliance with the LNP Use of Force Policy and professional conduct standards.
THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH RESOLVES THE STRIKE ACTION AT THE ELWA
The Ministry of Health and ELWA Hospital have forged a Pact for Immediate Relief and Long-Term Reform to prevent any subsequent strike action.
Minister of Health, Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of health workers across the country, emphasizing that no facility should experience disruption in service delivery due to administrative or financial bottlenecks.
The ELWA workers have now returned to work as the grievances are being resolved.
AGRICULTURE MINISTRY LAUNCHES NATIONAL HARVEST SEASON AND GBEDIN RICE BRAND IN NIMBA
The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Agriculture, on Wednesday launched the National Harvest Season in Seyikimpa and officially introduced Gbedin Agro-Business Incorporated’s locally produced “Gbedin Rice” in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Dokodan Farmers Cooperative in Campus #3, Gbedin Town, District #2, Nimba County.
The ceremony was followed by a tour of several rice farms in the area, highlighting the government’s commitment to promoting local food production under the “Liberia Feed Yourself Agenda.” in which rice remains a top priority for Liberia’s food security plan.
The ministry aims to reduce Liberia’s rice importation by 50%, noting that the country currently imports about 70% of its rice consumption. On the issue of pricing, Agriculture Minister conveys the government’s commitment in working to make locally produced rice more competitive by subsidizing production costs through investments in land preparation and infrastructure.
He also disclosed plans for the establishment of the Agriculture Enterprise Development Bank, a public-private partnership aimed at providing financial support to farmers and agribusinesses. The bill to create this bank is already before the Legislature, and once passed, it will help farmers access affordable financing to boost production.