Liberia road-maintenance prioritization influenced by politics (MCC evaluation)
Risk Mechanism
Road maintenance planning was distorted when budgets and work plans were driven by political priorities rather than asset condition, risk, and maintenance need. Inconsistent use of road management tools, delayed or diverted earmarked funds, and neglect of preventive maintenance weakened the integrity and effectiveness of maintenance programming.
Case Summary
In its 2025 final evaluation brief on road maintenance planning in Liberia, the Millennium Challenge Corporation found that decision-makers prioritised road rehabilitation and construction over routine maintenance and discontinued the use of road-condition data in annual maintenance planning after 2019. The brief also reported delayed and incomplete transfers of fuel-levy revenues earmarked for the National Road Fund, with substantial funds diverted to other uses, particularly construction and rehabilitation.
Risk Lesson
This case demonstrates how politically driven budget decisions can weaken road maintenance planning when allocations are not based on road condition, asset risk, and documented maintenance need. It highlights warning signs such as non-use of road management systems, delayed or incomplete transfers of earmarked maintenance funds, diversion of maintenance budgets to construction or rehabilitation, and work plans that depart from documented maintenance priorities.
Reference
Millennium Challenge Corporation. (2025). Supporting Data-Driven Road Maintenance Planning in Liberia. Available from: https://www.mcc.gov/resources/doc/evalbrief-041426-lbr-roads/