KAKATA, Margibi County – The government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Public Works, has officially commenced the long-awaited pavement of 8.7 kilometers of major community roads in Kakata, Margibi County. This comes years after President George Weah broke ground for the project in 2018—a plan that was never implemented despite an initial allotment of $1.6 million during his administration.
In 2019, Praise Glory Lawal (PGL) Construction Company—owned by controversial Nigerian-Liberian businessman Tony Lawal—was awarded the contract by the Ministry of Public Works to pave the roads at a cost of $10 million. However, the company defaulted on the project despite transporting heavy earth-moving equipment to Kakata. Those machines remain grounded and are believed to be no longer mechanically sound.
The Liberian Investigator has learned that the project has been re-awarded to PGL Construction Company, which has subcontracted the work to the Chinese-owned East International Construction Company. The project is expected to run for two years.
According to Hassan Fahnbulleh, the Ministry of Public Works’ Margibi County resident engineer, the first phase will include cement concrete pavement connecting several key areas in Kakata. These include: Mandingo Quarter to the Old Mobil gas station and Vai Town Market, VIP Market to Bong Mines Road, Mandingo Quarter to the Old Cassava Market, and the Margibi Administrative Building to New Kakata. The second phase will target New and Old 14 Road to C.H. Rennie Hospital, and City View to Bong Mines Road, among others.
“We are using rocks, steel rods, and a very hard grid of concrete for the work because we noticed Kakata experiences heavy rainfall and many areas are swampy,” Fahnbulleh noted.
He added that while concrete pavement is more expensive than asphalt, it is easier to maintain and better suited for regions with high rainfall.
Fahnbulleh also disclosed that makeshift structures along the road shoulders will be demolished at the government’s expense as the work progresses.
Margibi County Development Officer Lewis Kaine recently told reporters that a road mapping exercise was conducted in the affected communities. He said the county administration has engaged community leaders and market associations to ensure broad local involvement.
Kaine emphasized that no compensation will be provided to owners of structures within the road’s 13-meter perimeter, noting that those buildings were erected in violation of city zoning regulations.
He described the ongoing road project as a long-held dream finally being realized, calling it the first time in the county’s history that major streets in Kakata are being paved.
While the total cost of the project remains undisclosed due to ongoing design revisions, Kaine assured that the final details will be made public once completed.
The county administration, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works, will oversee the project to ensure its successful execution and lasting impact on Kakata’s infrastructure and development.
Kaine pledged the full support of the county administration in monitoring and facilitating the project’s progress.
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