Mrs. Joseta Neufville Wento, Officer in Charge of the National Road Fund, and her Program Assistant, Mikel Koti, recently attended a Bridge Management and Inspection Workshop in Milan, Italy, hosted by the International Road Federation (IRF Global). The workshop, which covered five rigorous days from June 19-23, 2023, intended to increase knowledge and expertise in the field of bridge management and facilitate collaborative discussions between participants from different nations.
The NRF’s attendance at the workshop reflects Liberia’s commitment to improving its infrastructure and effectively managing its road networks. With the goal of enhancing bridge management practices and ensuring the safety and durability of road infrastructure finance by the NRF, the workshop provided a valuable platform for exchanging ideas, best practices, and real-world applications for the NRF’s team.
Throughout the event, participants engaged in a series of comprehensive training sessions, interactive discussions, and practical exercises led by renowned experts in the field. The workshop covered a wide range of topics, including bridge inspection techniques, maintenance strategies, asset management systems, and the latest advancements in technology for bridge management.
Mrs. Wento and Mr. Koti actively participated in these sessions, sharing their experiences and gaining insights from other international delegates. They also had the opportunity to network and establish connections with professionals from different countries, fostering potential collaborations and partnerships in the future.
Upon the conclusion of the workshop, both Wento and Koti were successfully certificated in Bridge Management and Inspection. During the certification, they highlighted the value of the knowledge in enhancing their understanding of bridge management principles and techniques, which they believe will contribute significantly to Liberia’s ongoing efforts to improve its road infrastructure. She believes the insights and knowledge acquired from this workshop will have a positive influence on NRF’s evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of bridge project financing.
Mrs. Wento stated that the NRF intends to develop a bridge management system for routine and periodic monitoring and safety inspections to guarantee that maintenance works are prioritized based on data-driven information and other technical tests.
She added that NRF will conduct technical training and capacity building for engineers who are working in the road and bridge sector. According to her, this will further equip engineers with the tools required to monitor bridge assets and effectively maintain them within budget allocation.