"The working condition here is deplorable and unacceptable." Those were sentiments expressed yesterday by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) following a heavy downpour of rain that flooded its offices and destroyed some important documents.

Speaking on behalf of the Commission, Massa Washington yesterday resonated the importance of the commission and why it deserves to be housed in a decent and serene community so as to do its job with credibility.

But the Commissioners are apparently frustrated that they and their staff members occupy a three-room office space that is not enough to accommodate them, in addition to some "very bad conditions" of the offices.

Presently, the offices are not painted; some of the windows, especially the one above the desk of Sheik Kafumba Konneh has not glasses to stop a little rain from wetting the documents on the desk.

Yesterday's rain told the whole story when commissioners and their staff had to take off their shoes and sandals to walk in the pool of water before drying it, staff members told The Analyst.

The Chairman of the TRC, Cllr. Jerome Verdier and other commissioners and office staff are in the same office.

During a press conference to acquaint journalists with the agonizing condition of the Commission, Commissioner Washington said, "We received the mandate of the Liberian people to help heal this nation. By nominating us alone, our people told us that they trust us, respect us, and posses confidence in our ability to do this. And we agree with them. However, in order to yield the kind of results that are expected at the end of the day, we must be taken seriously and equipped." Not only did the Commissioner say the working condition at their offices housed in the partially dilapidated Public Works building on Lynch Street is deplorable and unacceptable, but that the TRC premises is said to be located in the middle of three ghettos.

In the mind of the Commissioners, a Commission that is respected, worth the name and cherish and staff become exposed and susceptible to all those elements associated with danger in ghettos.

"We lack adequate security," Commissioner Washington asserted, adding that the situation is "equally psychologically damaging".

She noted, "Psychologists will tell you that the environment plays an important role in the perception process of the individual which can transfer into defects of the physical condition." "To be blunt," Massa noted, "we work in a depressing environment. This condition has to improve if we are expected to be successful." She said there can be no way the TRC can be expected to function effectively when the commissioners are not appropriately and adequately equipped to execute this task.

Meanwhile, the government of Liberia is yet to make good a promise of US$300,000 intended to kick start the operations of the TRC.

The Commission said that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's request to the Ministry of Finance to make prompt the disbursement of her government's initial support of US$300,000 to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is not still forthcoming.

President Sirleaf has also promised three vehicles but they too have not yet been delivered.