• The Senate is holding hearings on a $365 million BOT road concession.
• The deal with PAVIPORT AL Associates covers 255 km of key national routes.
• Lawmakers seek to ensure financial viability and protect public interest.

The Liberian Senate has begun public hearings on a proposed road concession between the government and private consortium PAVIPORT AL Associates, Inc., involving an investment of $365 million under a build-own-transfer (BOT) model, according to local media reports.

The project covers the construction and operation of five strategic road sections totaling 255 km over a five-year period. A joint committee comprising officials from Public Works, Finance, Budget, Transport, and Justice, along with the Public Accounts and Audits Committee (PAC), is reviewing the agreement to assess its financial feasibility, procurement compliance, and safeguards for public interest before parliamentary ratification.

Road infrastructure is a key pillar of the government’s ARREST development program, which aims to boost domestic connectivity to support trade and national growth. However, tight fiscal constraints have pushed the government to seek private investment. Lawmakers now face the challenge of balancing investment attraction with fiscal sustainability and affordability for road users.

According to the World Bank’s Liberia Poverty Assessment 2023, poor road conditions remain one of the main obstacles to the country’s socio-economic development. About 42% of Liberians remain poorly connected or isolated, leading to costly and difficult travel. Even the paved Monrovia–Ganta highway faces mobility issues during certain periods, with travel times ranging from 2 to 6 hours between major towns and rural areas.

Through the BOT model, the government seeks to attract private capital while easing pressure on public finances. The roads will revert to state ownership after the concession period. However, the involvement of private operators may lead to higher toll costs, potentially reducing accessibility for rural residents and small transport operators.