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Liberia: Monrovia Cleans Up For Big Visit
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15 February 2008
Posted to the web 15 February 2008
Boakai M. Fofana
Monrovia
The Liberian Government has accelerated a major clean-up of the capital, Monrovia, ahead of U.S. President George Bush's visit to Liberia on February 21.
The main streets are being swept and makeshift structures on the roadside are being demolished.
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Boakai M. Fofana/AllAfrica Monrovia is preparing for U.S. President Bush's visit. |
The Liberian information minister, Laurence Bropleh, emphasized that the clean-up was not just for the visiting American president. It was being carried out as part of the process of creating a clean city in accordance with zoning laws. But he acknowledged that the visit had "given it a boost."
While the Ministry of Public Works breaks down shacks with heavy-duty equipment, a group – mainly comprising women – is removing trash under the banner of a "special project" of the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs. The group's head, Mary Broh, who is also Liberia's passport director, said this was a special initiative of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's office.
Broh stressed that the project will continue beyond Bush's visit. It was time to keep Monrovia clean, she emphasized.
Monrovia has grown significantly following the restoration of peace to Liberia, with many people migrating from rural areas in search of the opportunities the city offers. It is now home to more than a million people, causing serious congestion and sanitation problems – which are a major issue facing Sirleaf's administration.
Past efforts to demolish makeshift structures have been met with resistance. And this time is no exception, with police accompanying the demolition team often involved in confrontations with the owners of the structures.
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People who use the makeshift buildings for business, or even sleeping, protest their removal. But officials argue that structures made with scrap and salvaged materials are both fire hazards and threats to public health. On Wednesday, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf directed her convoy to stop by the roadside so that she could get out of her vehicle and explain to the residents of one illegal settlement why the government needed to take action. Her stop quickly drew several dozen people, eager to see the president they all call "Ellen" up close, as well as to hear what she had to say.
The big visit
Congratulation to President Sirleaf for the kind gesture to recieve this great Man peace. Pres George W. Bush
Thanks to liberians for the cleaning up campain to recieve the united states president
May President Bush and Wife visit should create a place of peace and joy in our hearts as they arrive in liberian and have a gorgeous visit.
May we liberian continue to clean up our heart, mind, soul and body not only during the big visit but after the big visit.
Thanks Evang. Jonathan M. Wesseh USA
I would also like to congratulate Madam Sirleaf on this HISTORIC VISIT! It is indeed a great gesture, symbolizing the long standing relationship between the two nations. What annoys me about this visit is that Liberians are being compelled by its govt to clean up for a visiting President (George W. Bush). How much will this clean up cost the country? Other dignitaries have visited Liberia in the past, yet Liberians were not subjected to this level of housecleaning. Besides, when has President Bush ever order the citizens of DC to clean up becuase an African Head of State was... [Read Full Text]
I just want to say to the writer comparing Africa to DC INTERMS OF CLEANING , it is just like DIE and SLEEP,DC is already clean , organised, so when African leaders are visiting there , they will mmet it clean , but for Monrovia , the city is congested , dirty .For a special personality like Peace MAker and African loving president like President Bush visiting liberia , he needs arousing welcome, to see a clean liberia , smelling fresh air . Moreover , i want to congratulate Md Sirleaf our brave President for having such a... [Read Full Text]
Sekou, I'm not sure if you ever visited DC, but that city is filthy, dirty and ridiculously smelly. Philly and DC are the only two U.S cities that have dumper in the backyard. So, Sekou I'm not convince by your argument. Besides, I'm not opposing the cleaning of Monrovia; rather, I'm asking the president to make cleaning a frequent priority. It make no sense to neglect a city for years, only to clean it when a dignitary is visiting.
Sekou, I'm not sure if you ever visited DC, but that city is filthy, dirty and ridiculously smelly. Philly and DC are the only two U.S cities that have dumper in the backyard. So, Sekou I'm not convince by your argument. Besides, I'm not opposing the cleaning of Monrovia; rather, I'm asking the president to make cleaning a frequent priority. It make no sense to neglect a city for years, only to clean it when a dignitary is visiting.
Sekou my Guinean brother, I don't know what planet you reside on. Are you being sarcastic or an idiot.
President Sirleaf, your presidency has brought recognition to Liberia. For the President of the "Free world" to visit Liberia is a morale booster. If your goverment does not get any grant this time, the visit by President Bush to Liberia indicates that Liberia if not stable is on the road to stability. This visit will turn the eyes of investors on Liberia. I want to personally thank Pres. Bush for his interst in the people of Liberia. He got the devil off the Liberian people backs and now he will be visiting Liberia. Liberians, this is a reminder that... [Read Full Text]
President Sirleaf, your presidency has brought recognition to Liberia. For the President of the "Free world" to visit Liberia is a morale booster. If your goverment does not get any grant this time, the visit by President Bush to Liberia indicates that Liberia if not stable is on the road to stability. This visit will turn the eyes of investors on Liberia. I want to personally thank Pres. Bush for his interst in the people of Liberia. He got the devil off the Liberian people backs and now he will be visiting Liberia. Liberians, this is a reminder that... [Read Full Text]
I want to congratulat our lovely president for potig liberia back on the world map once again, i will continue to pray for this woman who is our president. you are a great woman, you make liberia snd liberian proud, we are also proud of you. I pray that the God almighty be with all the time, please madam president let God be your coner ston. Dont be afried of any body do what you think is good for country, we need people like you to devolop this country.
A US President's Visit to Liberia!!! TELL ME, WHEN LAST DID WE HAVE SUCH A VISIT??? Congratulation President Sirleaf for inviting President George W. Bush (The Securer) to Liberia. For me, this visit is still a dream. I just cannot conceive the historic importance of such a huge recognition of our beloved country. How proud are we today has it not been for the good governance and international acceptance of President Sirleaf. Pres. Bush visit will turn a new page into the historical relationship amongst the two countries. Let all Liberians join Pres. Sirleaf in welcoming Pres. Bush to Liberia... [Read Full Text]
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