2 Counties Get Over US$300,000 for Rehab.

Development Alternatives, Incorporated (DAI), the implementing agent of USAID has awarded a grant of nearly US$210,000 for various rehabilitation projects in Grand Gedeh County. The fund is part of the United States Government’s support to Liberia’s reintegration and rehabilitation efforts.

The Grand Gedeh projects will target the rehabilitation and reconditioning of several major roads and highways in the county. Two stretches of roads earmarked the rehabilitation under these projects, include those between Zwedru through Kanen Chiefdom to Ziah Town, and Ziah Town through Glio to Tempo border. In total, 120-kilometer of late rite roads and bridges will be targeted and completed in two months, beginning August 1 to October 31. Eight hundred ex-combatants and war-affected people will be employed and receive wages.

These projects are being executed under the Liberia Community Infrastructure Program (LCIP), a strategic program fully funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Meanwhile, a major rehabilitation project has been launched in Grand Cape Mount County. More than US$100,000 is being committed to the reconditioning of roads and public and local community infrastructure in the country.

The fund is part of rehabilitation systems dedicated to Liberia by the government of the United States, and implemented under the Liberia Community Infrastructure Program (LCIP).

Hundreds of ex-combatants and local residents in Sinje, Grand Cape Mount were joined by members of the Liberian government and local and international NGO community to witness the inauguration of the project on (Tuesday, August 17, 2004).

The USAID funded project, co-named “Sinje-Lofa Bridge Road Rehabilitation Project” will focus the side-brushing and re-conditioning of the 80-kilometer highway between Sinje and Lofa Bridge. Six hundred ex-combatants and war-affected people will be employed and earn cash income. Peace, reconciliation and reintegration will be attained through the working together of ex-fighters and war-affected communities.

In four months this year, USAID’s implementing agent, Development Alternatives, Incorporated (DAI) has awarded grants of nearly US$two million for various important reconstruction programs in Bomi, Gbarpolu, Bong, Nimba, Grand Gedeh and Grand Cape Mount.

The Liberia Community Infrastructure Program (LCIP) is a strategic program funded by USAID, and is operating of six of Liberia’s fifteen counties. The LCIP is a major component of the Liberian peace process, dealing with the reintegration of thousands of ex-combatants and war-affected people, while at the same time, focusing on the rehabilitation of hundreds of broken public and local community infrastructure in many regions of Liberia.