By Ballah M. Kollie
MONROVIA, July 30 (LINA) – In demonstration of its commitment to Liberia’s economic recovery, the World Bank and the Government of Liberia have cut sod for the implementation of two major projects valued at US$24.9 million.
The projects are the re-building of the Redemption Hospital at a cost of US$14 million through a grant from the bank and US$10.9 million to transform the road to four-lane from the ELWA Junction to just after the Red Light Market spanning about 6.1km of the Monrovia to Guinea Border Road.
According to Larisa Leshchenko, World Bank Liberia Country Manager, the Redemption Hospital project is part of the bank’s investment plan for building a resilient health system, which aligns with the country’s Pro-Poor Agenda.
“The World Bank is delighted to provide US$14 million grant to finance the re-building of the Redemption Hospital on this new site here in the Monrovia suburb of Caldwell,” said the World Executive at the block-laying ceremony to jump start construction of the newly-improved Redemption Hospital.
The new hospital, she said, will serve as a regional referral hospital for Montserrado, Margibi, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu counties.
Phase 1 of the hospital will serve women and children, and provide learning environment for medical students and doctors and follows a successful completion of the preparatory activities which include the warehouse, water storage and powerhouse and a tarred road pathway.
The ELWA Junction to Coca Cola Factory road is of the Liberia Reconstruction Trust Fund (LRTF) approved by the World Bank Group Board of Executive Directors on June 7, 2011 and has since been under implementation for the past seven years.
The overall cost of this project, covering a total length of 253km, currently stands at US$314.4m, comprising contributions from the World Bank amounting to US$157.7m, which represents 50%; LRTF contributing US$108.9m, comprising 35%; and the Liberian Government underwriting US$47.8m, which is 15%.
The project objective is to reduce transport costs and maintain the Monrovia to Guinea Border Road corridor in good condition over a 10-year period with closing date on June 30, 2024.
The scope of the original project was to rehabilitate a 246 kilometers of primary road section in Liberia connecting the capital, Monrovia, to the Guinea border. Under the Output and Performance Based contracting methodology, rehabilitation and long-term maintenance is assigned to a single contracting entity.
“We want to assure you Mr. President, the Government and the people of Liberia that the World Bank will continue to provide critical support towards the development of Liberia. We are very happy and honored to be financing this important foundation of the health system in Liberia,” the World Bank Liberia Country Manager noted.
Both ceremonies were over the weekend graced by President George M. Weah, Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel Tweah, Public Works Minister Mobutu Nyenpan, Health Minister Wilhelmina Jallah, members of the Cabinet and a cross-section of Liberians.
LINA BMK/PTK
