Officials of the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) has held a consultative meeting with representatives of Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA), the hired contractors and consultants.
The meeting was part of efforts to ensure adequate preparedness of the consultants and contractors ahead of the official groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the Japan Freeway to Gabriel Tucker Bridge in Monrovia.
The meeting was intended to understand the level of preparedness ahead of the official commencement of the civil work following the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, July 3, 2026.
At the consultative meeting on Wednesday, Jut 1, in Monrovia, MoPW Deputy Minister for Administration, and Acting Minister, Samuka A. Dunnoh, extended heartfelt gratitude to the Government and People of Japan for the grant to expend the Japan Freeway to the Gabriel Tucker Bridge.
Dunnoh reaffirmed government’s commitment to work with the Government of Japan to achieve the development of its people.
Amid other things, he was interested in understanding the technical formalities around the project and the realistic nature of the work schedule as contained in the workplan.
The hydrological analysis to ensure that it aligns with the proposed drainage design and other technical issues that may arise during the process.
Dunnoh placed much emphasis on the rising tide of water during the peak of the rainy season, and how it often submerges the asphalt, sipping through tiny holes that ultimately develop into potholes over time.
He said, the proposed 900 centimeters culvert by the contractor does not seek to solve the flooding problem, thereby recommend that they use the 1200 centimeters culvert instead.
The consultants meanwhile, assured the Ministry that they are prepared to commence the work after the groundbreaking ceremony, provided the government settled its side of the bargain, by fully implementing the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP).
The MPW Senior Management Team, was drilled through a design review process as the consultants acknowledged some of the inquires for possible readjustment.
Similarly, the contractors also presented a clear work schedule to the Ministry, as to how it intends to implement the project.
MoPW Deputy Minister for Technical Services, Prince Tambah, reiterated the government of Liberia’s proposal to the government of Japan, through the Japan International Corporation Agency, to construct a parallel bridge along the Gabriel Tucker Bridge.
He said that government’s plan to create relief may be sabotage when the four lanes transitions into a dual lane at the bridge, adding that the construction of a parallel bridge completes the idea of traffic decongestion.
He also mentioned that the government through the Ministry of Public Works has settled 98% of the issues to create a smooth land for the commencement of the project.
Tambah’s statement was followed by a comprehensive report on the RAP related issues, proving that the right of way has been cleared and ready for turnover to the contractors for the immediate commencement of the project after July 3, 2026 ceremony. Macpherson C. Marbiah writes