"Farms to Market roads are key to the ARREST Agenda’’ says Minister Kamara

Finance and Development Planning Minister, Hon. Boima S. Kamara says farms to market roads are key under the ARREST Agenda of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai.

"We need a robust turn around that will help the free movement of goods and services transported from one rural area to another urban area across the country through road connectivity.”

Minister Kamara made the disclosure on Monday, February 26, 2024, when the World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia paid a courtesy visit at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

The Liberian Finance Minister stressed that farms to market roads will help alleviate extreme poverty by the smooth movement of goods and services transported when businesses, farmers and private farms owner’s produce are ready for the market.

According to him, the national development plan of President Boakai, which is acronym as the “ARREST” will focus on the construction of roads and other areas over the next six years, because road is a great factor to private sector growth.

"Under President Boakai national development plan for the next six years the construction of roads is critical because it will serve as a great factor to the private sector growth’’ he explained.

Currently, the Government of Liberia has over 13,000 km of roads that needs to be paved in order to boost the private sector. Out of 13,000 km of roads, only 9% have been done. 

For his part, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia, Mr. Robert Taliercio O’Brien explained that the Bank remains committed to support the ARREST Agenda of President Joseph N. Boakai.

"We are also committed to support the government budget in various sectors including the private sector development and climate resilience”, World Bank Robert Taliercio O’Brien said.

According to him, the government 100-day deliverables plan is an excellent initiative and the Bank looks forward to giving technical assistance wherever necessary.

"Going forward, we need to be more ambitious, and focused on how the bank can help Liberia through its development challenges. The Bank is excited to foster and strengthen stronger relationships with Liberia.” Said O’Brien.