Louis Berger has kicked off a 1.3 million euro (R17 million) construction supervision project to rehabilitate 151km of National Road 1 (RN1) between Dabola and Kouroussa in central Guinea.

The RN1 is a major thoroughfare across the country and could extend to south-eastern Mali in the future.

“This contract is the result of our commitment to building a strong partnership with the Guinean Ministry of Public Works, which reflects our more than 25 years of experience in the country,” said Pascal Houdeau, deputy general manager of operations for West and East Africa.

“That commitment and experience in Guinea are behind our decision to maintain a presence in the country and continue work during the worst of the Ebola outbreak.”

Financed by the National Development Budget, the project includes site clearance, earthwork, drainage and paving. RN1 rehabilitation is part of a national road network modernisation programme. The government aims to boost national and international commerce by connecting strategic transport axes and developing the country’s transportation infrastructure.