MONROVIA, Sept. 15 (LINA) – The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) has embarked on the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) compensation exercise for project-affected persons, amid the construction of two interchange bridges at the Ministerial Complex and the Samuel Kanyon Doe Boulevard junction in Congo Town, outside Monrovia.
Speaking at the official launch of the RAP exercise at the Ministry of Public Works on Thursday, Minister Ruth Coker-Collins extended appreciation to President George Weah for his dedicated support to her ministry.
She also extolled Liberia’s Finance Minister, Samuel D. Tweah and the project-affected persons for their financial cooperation and their patience respectively aimed at ensuring the success of the project.
The MPW boss disclosed that the Government of Liberia is the sole sponsor of the RAP process, which is estimated at over US$1 million.
It can be recalled that the Government of Liberia and the Government of the People’s Republic of China in August, 2018, signed a US$54 million grant agreement to construct two overpass interchange bridges at the Ministerial Complex and the SKD Boulevard junction in Congo Town as a means of helping ease the traffic congestion in those areas.
Minister Coker-Collins stated that there are 34 structures and over 39,000 square meters of land or 1.1 acres of privately- owned land that will be directly impacted by the project within the vicinity of the Ministerial complex in Congo Town.
She also said nine structures and 4,965.84 square feet of privately-owned land will be directly impacted by the project at the SKD Boulevard junction in Congo Town.
Meanwhile, the MPW boss has said the total cost of the 34 private properties affected within the vicinity of the Ministerial Complex Congo Town is about US$886,000 while the nine private structures at the SKD Boulevard junction in Congo Town is over US$116,000.
She asserted that even though the Chinese Government will fully underwrite the full cost of the civil works for the construction of the two overpass bridges, the RAP component of the entire project, which amounts to over US$1million, would be paid entirely by the government of Liberia.
“Today, the owners of the affected properties who have completed the vetting process through the Liberia Land Authority under phase one of the compensation exercise will be fully compensated. Upon the completion of the first batch of the payment, the process will continue with payment of the second and third batches of affected persons who have completed the process,” Minister Coker-Collins explained.
She further narrated that the project to construct the two overpass bridges will soon commence, citing that the design process is completed and the contractor is expected in the country before the year ends.
“So with the cooperation from the project-affected persons, today, our heads are up and we are indeed going to be inviting our contractor to come and start work,” Minister Coker-Collins maintained.
However, the MPW boss said the process of receiving the money is one aspect but was quick to acknowledge the project- affected persons not to behave like their colleagues on the Roberts International Highway who, according to the Minister, received their RAP payment but were hesitant to relocate.
She stressed that the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Public Works looks forward to the full cooperation of the project-affected persons for the smooth implementation of the works.
“It should not be like what we experienced during the construction of the RIA Highway project where people received their full payment but were hesitant to move.
“However, we believe in your judgment and cooperation that upon receiving this money, you will start your process,” said Madam Coker-Collins.
She urged the project-affected persons not to wait for the demolition team from the MPW but rather do their own work before the arrival of the team.
For His part, the Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Public Works, Joseph P. Todd, said the RAP payment is usually done in the field but emphasized that based on concerns from the project-affected persons the ministry decided to hold the program at its headquarters in Monrovia.
He stated that the project under the leadership of President George M. Weah is intended to improve on the infrastructure development of Monrovia and the country at large.
Minister Todd added that as a country, the Government needs to improve on the infrastructure inherited form the past governments, citing the work as one of the core responsibilities of the President of Liberia.
He lauded the project-affected persons for putting the interest of the country first in whatever they do as a means of facilitating the growth and development of the country.
“We want to say thank you very much for your cooperation over the time. We sent our staff to you for several meetings. There were times when we had some disagreements but at the end of the day in the spirit of Liberia becoming what it ought to be, we all are in this room forging ahead so that we can make room for the development that will affect citizens of our country and generation unborn,” Minister Todd stated.
Also, the acting Deputy Minister for Technical Services at the MPW, Dave T. Sleweon, asserted that the launch of the RAP payment is a memorable day which, according to him, jumpstarts the commencement of the two overpass bridges in Monrovia.
He added that the action of relocation and compensation of project-affected persons under the RAP exercise is a key component under infrastructure development.
Minister Sleweon highlighted the effort of the project-affected persons to cooperate with the MPW for the implementation of the project for the overall good of the country, emphasizing that it is not an easy thing to relocate from a previously occupied environment for those who are relocating and also to endure the tough thing of watching those structures get deformed.
“No amount of money is equivalent to involuntary resettlement, the Government of Liberia appreciates you,” Minister Sleweon said.
He stated that the implementation of the RAP exercise is a green light for the commencement of civil works of the proposed two overpass bridges at the Ministerial Complex and the SKD Boulevard junction in Congo Town.
Minister Sleweon revealed that the investment cost for the construction of the two bridges is about US$40 million in which US$37 is the actual estimated cost while US$3 million was captured as contingency.
The MPW technician lauded the effort of all of the parties involved in the implementation of the two interchange bridges at the Ministerial Complex and the S.K.D. Boulevard junction.
Speaking on behalf of the project-affected persons, Madam Musu Doe stated that it is not an easy thing for one to be relocated from where they have seen themselves all of their lives.
Madam Doe underscored that it isn’t just about the money, but it is the strength that they pray for on grounds that not everyone will be strong enough to take it.
She hoped that the project-affected persons will be able to go through the process so that citizens as well as other nationals can all see the beauty of Liberia as compared to other developed countries.
She proclaimed that development comes with a heavy heart, noting, “We all want it but it is a hard thing to do. So we are grateful to the team and I hope and pray that the relationship will continue for the betterment of our country”.
Ibrahim A. Sherif
