By Pewu Y. Sumo
MONROVIA — Public Works Minister Roland Layfette Giddings has revealed that the government is on track to significantly surpass its initial road paving targets outlined under the Agriculture, Infrastructure, and Development (AAID) agenda.
Speaking on August 11, 2026 at the National Steering Committee meeting held at the Monrovia City Hall, Minister Giddings disclosed that while initial projections targeted 485 kilometers of paved roads during the AAID framework period, creative financing and strategic partnerships will now enable the ministry to pave up to 670 kilometers.
“When we took over and were developing the AAID, based on the projections and projects that we thought we had to invest in for the pavement of roads, we projected 485 kilometers over the AAID period,” Minister Giddings told cabinet members, international development partners, and steering committee delegates. “With the additional investment and creativity that we created along the corridors in the private sector—and also attracting other donor funding—we might, and I can say that for sure, pave up to 670 kilometers based on the projects we have right now that are funded and available.”
Addressing President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the cabinet, Minister Giddings attributed the projected 185-kilometer increase to aggressive private sector mobilization, innovative corridor investments, and newly secured donor funding.
He reassured leadership that the ministry’s strategic push would deliver results well beyond initial expectations, crediting executive backing for enabling the expansion of major transport corridors across the country.
Unprecedented Connectivity and Accessibility
Highlighting national transit progress over the past two decades, the Public Works Minister noted that bad road networks—particularly during Liberia’s rainy season—have historically isolated large parts of the country.
“This has been unprecedented over the last almost 20 years. The majority of the country remained not accessible during the rainy season,” Giddings stated. “And as we sit here today, we can say you can access almost every part of the country. Though the roads are not all paved yet, they are ready for pavement.”
Minister Giddings concluded his remarks by expressing gratitude to international development partners, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and supporting state agencies. He reiterated the ministry’s firm commitment to delivering on the government’s infrastructure mandate, promising that the administration will “deliver big on roads.”
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