19 July 2011
Two projects of the Ministry of Public Works have been dedicated by the President of Liberia Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf with a call for citizens of the county to take ownership of the infrastructure in terms of its preservation and protection.
The Borlorla Bridge and the Gibi Worhn Road in Margibi County were among several government projects toured by President Sirleaf and delegation during her visit to Margibi County over the weekend.
At the dedicatory ceremony,  the Liberian leader, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf thanked the citizens of Margibi County especially the people of Borlorla for the hospitality accorded them. She praised them for their continuous support in the rebuilding of Liberia’s infrastructure.
The Borlorla Bridge and the Worhn road project were planned and initiated by the Ministry of Public Works with funding directly from the government of Liberia. The aim of the project is to fully rehabilitate the Kakata-Worhn road which has not been rehabilitated for several years up to the time the Unity Party led government ascended to state power. The road is 26 miles and links Kakata City with the Gibi District headquarters of Worhn. The project in line with the promotion of public/private partnership was contracted to SWAGS engineering and Construction Company.
The scope of works for the project is summarily divided into two components. The full rehabilitation of a 26 mile roadway which entails the installation of over 40 lines of culverts of varying sizes complete with head and wing walls; earth works, including mechanical clearing, roadside ditching, grading, etc and clearing of vegetation to properly establish and maintain road carriage way.
The other segment of the contract entails the replacement of 300 feet span bridge with 200ft and 100 ft double single panel Bailey bridge component respectively. The construction of 18ft concrete central pier to support bridge span and installation of concrete ramps at the bridge approaches.
Public Works Minister Samuel Kofi Woods, II says the project will contribute to increase access for farmers and marketers, specifically those attending the weekly market and other in Worhn, as well as create access for basic services including schools, health centers and other agro businesses.
In another development, the Ministry of Public Works in collaboration with the Bangladeshi Engineering contingent of UNMIL has commenced the immediate rehabilitation of the Konola Bridge situated in South Margibi County.
Minister Woods touring facilities in the county declared the Konola Bridge as an emergency and instructed the Bridge Consultant and all engineers within the Construction Bureau of the Ministry to proceed and fast track the implementation of the bridge. He however urged motorists especially those heading from kakata to observe and take note of the speed breaker and other signs along the road to avoid future problem on the bridge.
Commenting on the Kakata-Worhn road, Minister Woods reassured inhabitants of that community that the Contractor (SWAGS) will be relooking on areas that are affected as the result of the rain for possible repair.
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