By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

The Liberian House of Representatives has unanimously ratified a crucial US$20 million Loan Agreement with the OPEC Fund for International Development, greenlighting the significant Mano River Union (MRU) Road Development and Transport Facilitation Project (Liberia Section). The approval, secured during a special sitting on Wednesday, marks a key step forward for regional connectivity and national infrastructure.

The substantial loan is earmarked for the vital upgrade of a 48.5-kilometer stretch of road from John Davie to Zwedru City, transforming it into an all-weather route. This strategic improvement is poised to dramatically enhance transport efficiency, making movement of goods and people smoother and more reliable, thereby boosting regional integration across the Mano River Union basin.

Beyond mere road rehabilitation, the comprehensive agreement extends its reach to bolster cross-border cooperation. It provides essential funding for the refurbishment of the border control station between Liberia and Sierra Leone, crucial for streamlined passage. The project also encompasses the implementation of interconnected IT systems aimed at facilitating trade, alongside critical capacity building for customs officials, particularly in mastering the regional customs transit system known as SIGMAT. Furthermore, the loan will support the MRU Secretariat in its vital role of overseeing regional coordination and fostering inter-agency collaboration.

The Executive’s request for ratification was meticulously reviewed by a Joint Committee comprising representatives from Public Works & Rural Development and Judiciary. Following comprehensive scrutiny and consultations with relevant stakeholders, the committee strongly affirmed the project’s immense significance to national development. With the House’s ratification complete, the instrument has now been forwarded to the Liberian Senate for its concurrence, the final legislative step before implementation.