By Emmanuel Tobotinho Quiah
MARLAND-The Ministry of Transport has officially broken ground for the construction of a US$187,679 regional office in Maryland County, a move officials say is intended to bring transportation services closer to residents of southeastern Liberia.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held Tuesday in Pleebo-Sodoken District, attracted government officials, local authorities, traditional leaders, religious representatives, women and youth groups, contractors and residents.
The facility is expected to serve as a regional hub for transportation-related services, including driver and motorcycle training, as well as the processing of key transportation documents.
Officials of the ministry said the project is part of a broader government decentralization program aimed at reducing the need for citizens to travel to distant locations to access basic public services.
Speaking during the ceremony, Wilmont B. Chearu, Director for Planning, Policy and Research at the Ministry of Transport, said the construction demonstrates the ministry’s commitment to expanding its presence beyond Monrovia.
According to Mr. Chearu, the Maryland regional office will provide services to residents of Maryland, Grand Kru, River Gee, Grand Gedeh and Sinoe counties.
He said the decision to establish the facility was influenced by longstanding concerns from residents about the cost and inconvenience of traveling outside their counties to obtain driver training, motorcycle lessons and other transportation services.
“When completed, this office will provide citizens with easier access to the services of the Ministry of Transport without having to travel long distances,” He said.
Pleebo City Mayor Larry Geekor welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important development for Pleebo-Sodoken District and Maryland County.
Mayor Geekor commended President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the Ministry of Transport for extending the decentralization initiative to the county.
He said the project could create employment opportunities for young people while stimulating economic activities in the surrounding communities.
The mayor pledged the cooperation of the Pleebo City authorities with the ministry and the contractor to facilitate the successful implementation of the project.
He also urged the contractor to give qualified residents of Maryland County priority when recruiting workers for the construction phase.
Maryland County Superintendent Nathaniel S. Toe described the regional office as a significant step toward decentralizing government services and attracting additional development to the county.
Superintendent Toe stressed that development projects should be viewed from a public-interest perspective rather than through political affiliations.
He commended President Boakai, the Ministry of Transport and traditional authorities in Pleebo-Sodoken for their respective roles in making the project possible.
The county superintendent also called on residents to protect government-funded development projects, while urging the contractor to complete the facility within the agreed timeframe.
He further pledged that his administration would continue working with lawmakers, central government officials and other stakeholders to advance development initiatives throughout Maryland County.
Traditional leaders representing the indigenous communities of Pleebo welcomed the construction project and said it could contribute to employment and development in the area.
They pledged their support for the initiative and expressed their willingness to cooperate with government on future development projects.
At the same time, the traditional leaders urged government institutions to observe proper procedures and consult the appropriate authorities when acquiring land for public projects.
Deputy Minister for Transport Rudolph Natt described the Maryland project as part of a nationwide effort by the ministry to decentralize transportation services.
Deputy Minister Natt disclosed that similar groundbreaking activities were taking place in Bomi, Nimba and Lofa counties, indicating that the ministry’s decentralization program extends beyond Maryland.
Identifying himself as a son of Maryland County, Natt said the establishment of the regional office represents a meaningful contribution to the development of his home county.
He specifically praised Maryland County Senator James P. Biney for engaging the Ministry of Transport and advocating for the establishment of the regional office in Maryland.
Natt said although the ministry had already developed plans to decentralize its operations, Senator Biney’s intervention helped accelerate the process for Maryland County.
The deputy minister also disclosed that the Ministry of Transport has engaged the Ministry of Finance regarding the recruitment of approximately 10 to 11 Maryland County residents onto the government payroll.
According to Natt, the recruitment is expected to take place later this year and would complement the employment opportunities anticipated from the new regional office.
He said the facility would provide residents of Maryland and neighboring counties with easier access to transportation services while reducing the financial burden associated with long-distance travel.
Natt assured residents that the Ministry of Transport intends to maintain a permanent and effective presence in Maryland County once the regional office is completed.
He also commended Maryland County Transport Coordinator Paul Geneyan for his role in coordinating the project and pledged continued cooperation with local authorities, young people and residents.
The Ministry of Transport says the regional office is expected to be completed before the end of 2026.
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