The Minister of Public Works (MPW), Roland L. Giddings has disclosed that the Ministry will remain ‘open and transparent’ to the public as it relates to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads and other infrastructure works across the country.
Making the disclosure at an inactive session Tuesday, October 22, 2024 in Monrovia, Minister Giddings said officials at the Ministry are aware that they have signed up for an open government initiative, something that clearly shows that the Ministry will remain very transparent and open to the public on its activities.
According to him, that is why over the last eight to nine months, there having been anything or document in the media that looks like it is a secret document.
“We don’t keep secret here at the Ministry, everything is open and that is why maybe the information about the US$22m is being misinterpreted. But the 22m is the overall contract for two years and we have only spent US8.9m and we will keep saying that so people can know,” he said.
He indicated that the open government initiative will continue as every two to three months the Ministry will be reengaging the public about happenings and progress being made on all of its activities across the country.
“We also expect you to go out there and provide any information that is require for us to intervene as a Ministry. We made not be able to gather all of the information that we need to intervene in the communities in terms of road works, drainage, construction among others,” he said.
Also commenting on the 100 days road intervention, Min. Giddings noted that the assessment that was done on the 100 days was something that they fell short, adding “you could see that we were beating ourselves, we wanted to ensure that we did an assessment that will allow us to advance on it during the upcoming dry season”.
He continues: “Remember, we started in April of 2024 which took us closer into the rainy season. We have done a little over 70% of the 100 days road intervention in terms of the conditions of the road.”
Accordingly, the dry season is coming and they will do a lot in preparing for the next rainy season, stating that the roads will be in better condition as they are now.
“In the next weeks you will see maintenance works everywhere.
He reemphasized that they will continue to do what they have decided and agreed to do as a people, stressing that what they are doing is service to nation, and they take that very seriously. Macpherson C. Marbiah/0884281-0777250370