By By: The People News Online
The Government of Liberia has kicked off a sweeping rehabilitation of 18 rural road lots across Lofa County, marking one of the region’s most ambitious infrastructure undertakings in recent years. The project, implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture under the Tree Crops Extension Project II (TCEP II) and funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), aims to boost rural connectivity, strengthen value chains, and expand economic opportunities for smallholder farmers.
Spanning more than 144 kilometers of feeder roads across Salayea, Voinjama, Kolahun, Zorzor, Quardu Gboni, and Foya, the initiative is expected to reconnect communities long isolated by impassable road conditions. Officials say the upgrades will slash transportation costs, shorten travel times, reduce post-harvest losses, and significantly improve access to markets and services.
Launching the project, Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah underscored the administration’s commitment to ending Liberia’s long-standing farm-to-market challenges.
“Farm-to-market roads have been a major challenge for farmers across the country,” he said. “Many produce abundantly but struggle to reach the market. When we address the feeder road problem, farmers will be motivated to grow more—and the country will have access to more food. The government will prioritize this issue.”
Lofa County Representative Momo Kpoto commended the Ministry’s leadership and pledged full support from the county’s legislative caucus. He called on residents to take ownership of the investment.
“When the engineers are gone, let’s take our cutlasses to maintain the roads,” he urged. “Please take it as our own so they know we appreciate their hard work. We should embrace this project.”
Local leaders and community members celebrated the project’s launch, noting that poor road conditions have long hindered economic growth, blocked access to extension services, and disrupted the delivery of basic social amenities.
The Ministry of Agriculture announced that all 18 road lots are scheduled for completion within ten months, with no anticipated delays. Officials emphasized that construction will strictly follow national standards, benefit from oversight by the Ministry of Public Works, and include robust community involvement to ensure long-term sustainability.
With work now underway, Lofa County stands on the brink of a long-awaited transformation—one expected to reshape rural mobility and strengthen livelihoods for thousands of farming households.
