BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa – After a few months of being at a standstill, the Fairground Road construction has resumed in Buchanan.

According to Grand Bassa’s third district representative, Matthew Joe, who has been pushing for the 1.5 km construction, the pavement of the road halted because the contractor had not been paid.

On Monday, Joe posted on his official Facebook page that the Liberian government had resumed the project.

“[A] couple of months ago, this project was stalled as a result of payment due [to] the contractor; thankfully our government has made the necessary payment available to the contractor for the full implementation of this road work,” he wrote.

The Fairground hosts major public buildings including the Buchanan City Hall, Unification Pavilion, the police headquarter for Grand Bassa, and the county superintendent’s compound. Unification Pavilion was constructed in 1965 during the administration of former president William V. S. Tubman. However, since the erection of the building, which hosts major programs and the presidential villa, the road leading to the pavilion has not been paved.

Joe said the contractor assured him that the project would be completed within two months, as intensive work has begun. He noted that the pavement of the road would bring relief to the county.

“The pavement of this road was one of my campaign promises to the people of Buchanan. I am elated that this road is being completed during my second year in office, through the reinforced promise of President Dr. George M. Weah,” he added.

“I can safely say to you that this road work will get completed within the period of two months beginning with this month of April.”

He added: “This road, when completed, will include a sidewalk for pedestrians and drainages to where necessary. During the groundbreaking ceremony, we discussed concrete pavement, but I can surely say that this road will be an asphalt pavement.”

On November 10, 2018, Joe, along with Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor; the speaker of the House of Representatives, Bhofal Chambers; the minister of Public Works, and the county’s legislative caucus, broke grounds for the construction of the Fairground Road.

However, construction came to a standstill in December 2018 due to a delay in the government paying the contractor, Sidani Group Holding.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Public Works Minister Mobutu Nyenpan estimated that the construction could last for nine months although he said his ministry would aim to complete the work within six months. The cost of construction is estimated at US$1.2 million.

Featured photo by Sampson David