Boakai M. Fofana
15 February 2008
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.
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.
Boakai M. Fofana/AllAfrica
Monrovia is preparing for U.S. President Bush's visit.
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.
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.
Read comments. Write your own.
Copyright © 2008 allAfrica.com. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
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 arriving? On the eve of Madam Sirleaf Visit to Washington DC, I visited DC and the city was filthy as usual. I'm not oppose to Bush visit to Liberia, nor do I consider Ellen's decision to clean up Monrovia a bad idea. I would rather Madam Sirleaf makes cleaning Monrovia a frequent priority, rather than cleaning to appease a guest.
Cassavaleaves
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 wonderful man in our country, it is all due to her hard work, keep it up mama president , may the Lord continue to give you wisdom and protect you . Finally , i am asking all Liberians to come out in full force , to welcome this honorable man that is coming to relieve us from hardship , poverty and create more job opportunities for us , long live president Bush , long live president Sirleaf. i HOPE HE WILL DONATE MORE TO lIBERIA THAN ALL THE OTHER COUNTRIES HE VISITED. SEKOU CONTEH GUINEA/CONAKRY
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 you are gaining recognition again, Please, please for heaven sake, work together no matter your differences and help rebuild Liberia. Let put Liberia above our personal interest. Long live Pres. Sirleaf, Pres. Bush and the people of Liberia. God bless. Polo of Phila
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 you are gaining recognition again, Please, please for heaven sake, work together no matter your differences and help rebuild Liberia. Let put Liberia above our personal interest. Long live Pres. Sirleaf, Pres. Bush and the people of Liberia. God bless. Polo of Phila
See all comments (28).
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