Monrovia, February 9, 2010…In continuation of his tour of county over the inspection of roads, bridges and public buildings around the country, Public Works Minister Attorney Samuel Kofi Woods, II visited Grand Bassa and Rivercess Counties where he expressed satisfaction over some projects and outlined progresses in the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructures in Liberia.

In Grand Bassa County, Minister Woods, Work Bank Team, Donors and officials of Government inspected current progress made at the 15 km stretch of road between Cotton Tree and Bokay Town. 3.140 km out of the 15km stretch of road currently being reconstructed has been completed with significant improvement visibly seen by virtue of Labour and equipment mobilization.

Speaking at a brief consultative meeting in Bokay Town, Grand Bassa County, Minister Woods expressed appreciation to Donor countries and the World Bank for their support to Liberia’s reconstruction drive. He said funding from Cotton Tree to Bokay Town road is directly from the Liberia Reconstruction Trust Fund initiated by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and administered by the World Bank and the Government. He said his continuous visitation at the site is meant to ensure that construction is done on time.

He said road rehabilitation is significantly paramount because it opens access to improve economic and social developments.

For his part, World Bank Country Manager, Ohene Nyanin praised Minister Woods for not just sitting in office but going on the field to inspect the actual project. He said the World Bank and its developmental partners will continue to work for the betterment of Liberia’s infrastructural development. He urged Liberians to exhibit the high degree of patience as road work entails gradual process.

On the same day, Minister Woods and delegation proceeded to Buchanan and were met upon arrival by authority of the county and toured several areas including the presidential site at four houses and the Atlanta Street which is threatened by the Sea erosion. Twelve areas of concern for possible rehabilitation were submitted by the County authority which includes Lewis Street, Open Bible road, Kilby Street among others. Although other long term plans were announced concerning the streets of Buchanan especially with maintenance and protection of infrastructures, Minister Woods stressed the need to institute measures in preventing the spread of sea erosion until permanent solution is done.

The tour extended on Saturday, February 5, 2010 when Minister Woods and team were joined by Senators Jonathan Barney and George Moore of Rivercess County. Detouring the rehabilitated road to Cestos, the team proceeded via Compound three and toward Rivercess where Minister Woods and technical team stopped at every bridge and damaged portion along the road to take full assessment of the road. Upper Timbo River Bridge that boundary Grand Bassa and Rivercess and the Seniea River Bridge were among several bridges and water crossing that the MPW team visited.

Citizens of the two Districts in Rivercess, Morweh and Keadye welcome Minister Woods and team to each town with the regular traditional welcoming ceremony which was equally responded with happiness. “It is certainly a wonderful thing for the first time in the history to see cabinet Minister visiting our area. We are close to seeing the President in our area”, an elderly lady asserts.

“I was sent by the President to look at the roads, bridges and wells. The President is concern about the road and is working hard to make sure that the road is good. We will check them one by one and report back to the President”, said Minister Woods.

Those making part of the team were, Deputy Minister for Community Services Charles Carpenter and other technical Directors as well as Senators Jonathan Barney and George Moore of Rivercess County.