Africa-Press – Liberia. The Manager of the National Road Fund, Joseta Neufville-Wento, says the entity is still faced with challenges, such as unresolved audit findings and funds that were collected but not properly remitted, including US$25 million from the government and US$15 million from petroleum importers, totaling US$40 million.
These issues highlight transparency and the need for political will and stronger management to resolving outstanding financial concerns.
At the same time, Madam Wento disclosed reverting taxes of petroleum products on importation as part of an initiative to fund road maintenance through the institution. From 25 cents to 30 cents per gallon could help address infrastructure needs, but it might also affect fuel prices and, consequently, transportation costs.
The government made a policy decision to revert the taxes to 30 cents per gallon, which had previously been set at 25 cents. This change will be effective as of February, 2024. NRF Manager Joseta Neufville-Wento made these remarks during an appearance on OK FM on January 27, 2025.
National Road Fund is expanding its revenue sources to support road maintenance and infrastructure. According to her, while the collection in 2024 was primarily focused on petroleum products, the introduction of two new user charges, namely the absolute control program and vehicle registration fees reflects a broader strategy to raise funds.
The government’s move could reflect a need to generate more funds for road maintenance or infrastructure development. However, introducing new fees could also be seen as an additional financial burden on citizens and businesses.
NRF boss emphasizes that “The road user charges, including the new ones, are legally prescribed, which gives the government a framework to collect these funds in a way that is meant to be both transparent and lawful”. According to her, they are essentially operationalizing or formalizing the collection of these different sources of revenue, ensuring that they are implemented in line with the law.
Wento acknowledges that when the current administration took over, there were gaps in the institution’s operations that needed to be addressed. She mentions that some issues were serious and required immediate attention, while others were more about management improvements or the political will to implement necessary changes.
The General Auditing Commission’s audit seems to be playing a key role in identifying these gaps and weaknesses, which could be an important step in strengthening the institution’s accountability and transparency. It’s clear that they are focused on improving the management side of things, making sure the funds are being used effectively for road maintenance.
The Road Fund Manager emphasizes transparency and accountability by highlighting the regular completion of reports. By doing this, the Fund is aiming to show the public that there is nothing being hidden and that the processes are open for scrutiny. This kind of transparency is crucial for building trust, especially when it comes to public funds that are collected through taxes and user charges, she adds.
Regularly published reports could help dispel concerns about mismanagement or corruption, as it gives the public insight into how funds are being used.
Despite these challenges, it’s clear that there has been significant progress in road infrastructure development. According to the figures shared, the government has made strides with 1,273 km of primary roads, 80.4 km of secondary roads, and 71 km of urban roads completed in 2024.
These numbers show a dedicated effort to improving the country’s infrastructure, though the full scope of road work remains a long-term task, as the work is divided into rehabilitation, maintenance, and emergency intervention.
The mention of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) and its focus on infrastructure development also shows that there’s a broader vision for strengthening the country’s road network, which aligns with Liberia’s development goals.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
