As part of its fact-finding mission to assess governance and reform efforts ahead of a potential second Compact for Liberia, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact Challenge Team on Tuesday held a strategic stakeholders’ engagement with the Ministry of Public Works (MPW).
During the engagement, the MCC delegation inquired into key reforms within Liberia’s infrastructure sector, with emphasis on transparency, accountability, and the government’s development priorities. The Team also sought to understand how investments in infrastructure could serve as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry, Public Works Minister Roland Layfette Giddings outlined a series of reforms undertaken to enhance service delivery. He referenced the Ministry’s Service Delivery Charter, a framework designed to improve efficiency and responsiveness. Minister Giddings also highlighted reforms in the management of the National Road Fund, stressing its potential to secure long-term sustainability in road infrastructure financing.
According to him, the Ministry has developed a comprehensive Road Sector Development Plan, which provides strategic guidance for Liberia’s infrastructure priorities. He emphasized that the Government of Liberia (GoL) recognizes road development as central to national growth, describing it as “a standard of measuring performance within the public space.”
“The Government understands the important impact a second Compact would play in Liberia’s development, particularly at a time when road development has emerged at the epicenter of national discourse,” Minister Giddings noted. “GoL remains inextricably tied to its commitment of delivering basic social services to its people, and this is why much effort is directed toward securing the resources needed to make this happen.”
He further revealed that government priorities are anchored on roads and energy, citing findings from a recent growth constraint analysis of the Liberian economy.
In response, the MCC Team expressed appreciation for what it described as a fruitful and informative engagement. The delegation assured that the insights gathered during the visit would inform deliberations at the MCC Board level, where a final decision regarding Liberia’s eligibility for a second Compact is expected to be made in December this year.
The Team commended the Ministry of Public Works for its openness and reforms, while wishing Liberia success as the process moves toward conclusion.
