–Public Works Minister Giddings Blames Weah’s Administration
By Jessica Cox
MONROVIA, Liberia — Liberia’s Public Works Minister Roland Layfette Giddings has disclosed that nearly US$100 million was paid toward the Roberts International Airport (RIA) Road project under the previous administration, while physical construction progress reportedly remained between five and six percent.
Speaking Tuesday at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia, Giddings said the Boakai administration inherited a road project in which substantial funding had been disbursed without corresponding construction progress.
According to the minister, the previous government secured three separate loans totaling approximately US$80 million and made an additional payment of US$21 million to the contractor, bringing total disbursements close to US$100 million.
He said the payments represented approximately 60 to 70 percent of the project’s total funding, despite less than two kilometers of the road reportedly being paved when the current administration assumed office.
Giddings attributed the situation to what he described as weaknesses in project management and financial oversight, particularly the release of large sums without sufficient verification of construction milestones.
He argued that payments for major infrastructure projects should be directly linked to independently verified physical progress to prevent public resources from being committed without corresponding work.
The minister also disclosed that an audit uncovered a potential conflict of interest involving the project’s independent supervising consultant, whom he said was being paid directly by the contractor.
To address the concerns, the Ministry of Public Works engaged the General Services Agency (GSA) to audit the project and reconcile the remaining funds with the actual construction progress.
Giddings maintained that the current administration was not blaming the contractor for the inherited situation, but rather the previous government’s oversight arrangements.
He said the Ministry of Public Works is working with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to secure additional funding needed to complete the corridor.
According to Giddings, construction has since accelerated, with approximately 30 kilometers of the road now paved, and the government remains committed to completing the project by 2027.
The RIA corridor is a major transportation route connecting Monrovia to Liberia’s principal international airport. Its completion is expected to improve access to the airport, facilitate transportation and strengthen connectivity between the capital and surrounding communities.
However, the project continues to attract public scrutiny over its cost, construction standards and prolonged delays.
The minister’s disclosure comes amid renewed legislative scrutiny of the RIA Road project.
On October 15, 2026, the House of Representatives initiated an inquiry into the project following concerns raised by Nimba County District #5 Representative Kortor Kwagrue.
According to the Liberia News Agency, Kwagrue questioned the project’s construction standards, reported cracks and potholes, and the use of manual tools in some excavation activities.
He also expressed concern that the road, initially expected to be completed in 2023, remained unfinished.
The lawmaker called for the Ministry of Public Works and the contractor, East International Group Incorporated, to explain the project’s status, engineering standards and completion timeline.
The House subsequently directed its Chief Clerk to invite the minister and the contractor to appear before lawmakers.
The legislative intervention highlights the importance of independent oversight as the government seeks to complete the project while addressing public concerns about quality and value for money.
Giddings also provided an update on the long-delayed Overpass Bridge project, saying construction has resumed under the current Unity Party administration and has reached approximately 45 percent completion.
He said the project’s initial planning and formalities were undertaken during an earlier Unity Party administration, but the subsequent interim administration failed to make measurable progress on the construction site.
The government is now targeting November 2027 for completion.
The two overpasses, being constructed along Tubman Boulevard with support from the Chinese government, are designed to ease traffic congestion, improve road safety and enhance transportation in Monrovia.
The Ministry of Public Works previously disclosed that the project is valued at approximately US$36.6 million and is being funded through a Chinese government grant.
The project includes a 300-meter overpass near the Ministerial Complex, with approximately 2.3 kilometers of auxiliary and approach roads, and a 180-meter overpass at the SKD Boulevard Junction, with approximately 1.8 kilometers of associated roads.
Construction officially began in September 2025, with the original 24-month implementation period extending to August 2027.
The project is being implemented by China Road and Bridge Corporation, with China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group serving as the management enterprise.
Beyond the RIA corridor and overpasses, Giddings said the Ministry of Public Works is pursuing broader infrastructure development aimed at improving road connectivity across Liberia.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming the country into a construction site through the implementation of road and bridge projects nationwide.
The minister emphasized that roads remain central to Liberia’s economic development, connecting farmers to markets, children to schools, patients to healthcare facilities and businesses to investment opportunities.
He also highlighted the proposed Liberian Legacy Economic Corridor, an initiative designed to connect major economic areas, particularly Grand Bassa, Bong and Nimba counties.
Giddings said the project was presented to the World Bank during its 2025 Spring Meetings and received acceptance for further development.
He disclosed that a US$2 million grant is currently supporting the project’s design phase.
The proposed corridor is intended to improve transportation links between economically active counties and strengthen access to markets and other essential services.
The minister also pointed to the coastal corridor, which is expected to connect areas from Buchanan through the southeastern coastal region toward Greenville and other communities.
Liberia’s infrastructure development agenda continues to face challenges involving funding, construction delays, project supervision and the maintenance of completed roads.
The Ministry of Public Works’ five-year Infrastructure Strategic Plan for 2025–2029 was launched in December 2025 to guide road-sector development and implementation.
The government’s ability to complete major projects within the announced timelines will be critical to determining whether its infrastructure commitments translate into tangible improvements for citizens.
For the RIA Road project, the central questions remain whether the remaining funds will be sufficient to complete the corridor, whether construction will meet the required engineering standards, and whether the financial and supervisory concerns identified by the government will be fully addressed.
While Giddings has expressed confidence that the road and overpass projects will be completed by 2027, continued legislative oversight, transparent reporting and independent verification of construction progress are likely to remain important in ensuring accountability for public resources.
