Public Works Minister Pushes for Independent Road Fund, Says Politics Is Slowing Liberia's Road Development

Monrovia, Liberia:Public Works Minister Roland Giddings has intensified calls for the National Road Fund to become an independent institution, arguing that political and financial control over the fund is undermining Liberia's road development and delaying critical infrastructure projects across the country.

Speaking during an interview on Prime FM, Minister Giddings said the current arrangement limits the Road Fund's effectiveness and prevents revenues collected for road infrastructure from being fully dedicated to their intended purpose.

According to the minister, resistance to the proposal is coming from some government officials who fear that granting the Road Fund autonomy would reduce the Ministry of Finance's control over certain financial decisions.

"There are people who do not want the Road Fund to be independent because it will shift some financial authority away from the Ministry of Finance," Giddings asserted.

He maintained that an independent Road Fund would ensure that money generated specifically for road infrastructure is used solely for road maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction rather than being diverted to other government priorities.

"The independence of the Road Fund will make road construction faster and lead to the development of more roads across Liberia," Giddings said. "The resources collected for roads should be used only for roads."

The Public Works Minister further argued that an autonomous Road Fund would strengthen transparency, accountability, and long-term planning, while reducing political interference in the management of infrastructure financing.

Giddings also stressed that such a reform would improve the confidence of international development partners and investors, making it easier for Liberia to attract support for major road projects and improve connectivity across the country.

His latest remarks are expected to reignite debate over the management of road infrastructure financing, with supporters viewing an independent Road Fund as a pathway to faster development, while critics may question the implications of removing aspects of financial oversight from the existing government structure.