The rehabilitation of Monrovia-Buchanan road, which was sponsored by World Bank and undertaken by China Henan International Cooperation Group (Chico), was formally launched at Tubman Boulevard last Friday. The ceremony was organized by the Ministry of Public Works of Liberia.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia, World Bank representative, Chinese Ambassador Zhou Yuxiao and Economic and Commercial Counsellor Zhang Yi of the Chinese Embassy attended the ceremony. Also attending were some cabinet ministers of Liberia, the managers and staff members of Chico, correspondents and local citizens.

As he addressed the audience at the ceremony, Ambassador Zhou Yuxiao noted that the rehabilitation of the Monrovia-Buchanan road is the largest infrastructure project ever to be conducted since the end of the civil war in Liberia. Ambassador Zhou attached great importance to peace and international cooperation for the post-war development of Liberia, owing a great deal to the peacekeepers and international community. He lauded the World Bank for working hard to raise funds for the project. The Ambassador acknowledged that China is proud to be part of this project and to be an active partner of the development initiatives of Liberia and disclosed that China alone is doing about 10 projects in the next two years in the form of economic aid and the Chinese Embassy endeavors to encourage the Chinese private sector to invest in Liberia.

Ambassador Zhou further elaborated the importance of the reconstruction of the road, saying it will not only improve traffic, but also generate jobs for the unemployed and instill hope and confidence in the Liberian people. The Ambassador urged the Chinese company to prove itself to be a worthy and credible contractor by doing an excellent job both in speed and quality.

Ambassador Zhou also briefed the audience on China's investment policy to Africa, hoping Liberia can benefit from it.

Also speaking Friday at the ceremony when formally broke the grounds for the reconstruction of the Tubman Boulevard, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf thanked Ambassador Zhou for his efforts to press the Chinese construction company Chico to start the rehabilitation project when the rainy season is barely over. Mme. President said that the major roads in the country were in a deplorable state due to lack of maintenance over the years and the start of the rehabilitation is an event long-awaited by the Liberian people. The President noted that, with the help of the international community, the Unity Party Government is delivering development by rehabilitating infrastructure facilities and public services such as water, electricity, roads, medical and health, education etc., appealing to the people for confidence in the future of the nation.

In his speech, Deputy General Manager of Chico, Mr. Cheng Jian, pledged that Chico will spare no effort in the road reconstruction works and, with 20 years of experience in African countries and expertise in road construction, will not let down the Liberian government and people.

The project of Monrovia-Buchanan road reconstruction shall be implemented in two phases. Phase one covers a distance of 84 kilometers, stretching from Monrovia to Roberts International Airport and phase two is about 95 kilometers between Monrovia and Buchanan.