Hundreds of residents of the Township of Johnsonville in Montserrado County, late thursday evening trooped in their numbers to witness, President George Weah closely accompanied by newly confirmed Public Works Minister, Madam Ruth Cokers Collins, and others entourage of government open for the first time one of the Dry Rice Market, Barnesville to Johnsonville turning point road corridor, leading to Mount Barclay.
Members of the president delegation to the opening includes, Minister of State for Presidential affairs, Nathaniel F. McGill, Presidential Chief of Protocols, Madam Nora Finda Bundoo, Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe and Johnsonville Township Commissioner Oliver Varnie.
President Weah, on thurday, June 23, 2022, while commissioning the 11.5 kilometre access road connecting the Barnesville- Dryrice Market to Johnsonville and Mount Barclay, re-affirmed the Government’s commitment to addressing the challenges of infrastructure development and in doing so they’re going to built, connect more feeder roads, including the construction of schools, markets, hospitals, among other things.
“This road is part of our ongoing efforts to development and we are committed to it, this road will help ease the difficulties our people faced and this pavement will help facilitate the movement easier,” President Weah said.
The Liberian leader said the opening of the road is in keeping with his vision to develop Liberia through the construction of roads to connect the entire country.
“You can see for yourself journalists, I want to ensure that all feeder roads across the country are paved in order to enhance economic viability, agriculture productivity as well as improved healthcare delivery system, because it will enable our people to take their produce to the market and have easy access to health.
According to him, the ceremony signifies his commitment to develop Liberia, especially through road construction and called on all of his cabinet ministers to cooperate and collaborate for the growth and development of the Liberian people.
He, however, urged Liberians to ensure that they help the government maintain the peace if these projects are to be achieved, stressing, “We can only achieve rapid development if our country is reconciled and peaceful.”
According to Public Works Minister Ruth Coker Collins, the 11.5 kilometre is phase one of the asphalt road projects which is 6.5 kilometre access connecting Dryrice Market to Johnsonville Township completed, while phase two is the portion of the road corridor connecting Johnsonville Township to Mount Barclay 5km, which pavement has already started and will be completed soon.
Since its establishment in 1887, the residents of the township have over the years had difficulties plying the road due to its dilapidated state, especially during the rainy season, as many of them usually ride motorcycles as the easy means of travel.
But in October 2018, President George Manneh Weah, broke ground for the construction of the Redlight to Johnsonville to Dryrice Market, Barnesville which has since been completed and use as a route to the public.
Meanwhile, in a related development the Liberian Senate House’s on Public Works and Rural Development has confirmed Madam Ruth Coker Collins as Public Works Minister proper, she replaced late minister Mobutu Vlah Nyepan, who died on October 30, 2020 in Accra, Ghana as a result of a reported stroke.
