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Liberia: "I Take the Blame for Kendeja"
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The Inquirer (Monrovia)
25 April 2008
Posted to the web 25 April 2008
Morrison O.G. Sayon
Information Minister, Dr. Lawrence Konmla Bropleh says as head of the Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism, he takes the responsibility for the Kendeja incident.
Appearing before plenary of the lower House of Parliament to provide some generalities on the relocation of the National Culture Center, Minister Bropleh said taking responsibility for the incident at the center does not in any way mean that he orchestrated the incident but did so as a leader.
Rev. Dr. Bropleh was cited recently by plenary of the House of Representatives to provide information and subsequent testimony relating to the Kendeja issue. He failed to appear before the House last Thursday something that forced the lawmakers to send another citation to the minister.
The sacred National Culture site was leased to a U.S-based company belonging to an American billionaire, Robert Johnson for the construction of a four-star hotel on the site of the national shrine.
In his clarification yesterday, Dr. Bropleh informed the lawmakers that few years ago the Liberian government made a decision to relocate the National Culture Center. He said the original 63.75 acres that had been sourced for the development of a National Culture Center had been badly encroached upon, coupled with the rapid erosion from the Atlantic Ocean.
Minister Bropleh noted that the audacity of some of those who encroached on the culture center's land drove them to even demolish a key building that the late writer, Bai T. Moore had erected to showcase Liberia's arts and crafts. "All of this happened without any intervention from successive governments," he then added.
Dr. Broplrh disclosed that cultural activities at Kendeja ceased many years ago, without any questions being raised or hearings being held to ascertain reasons for the cessation. He said following the decision by the government to relocate the center, it accepted a proposal from an investor for the leasing of the land.
Continuing, Dr. Bropleh said, "Let me make it emphatically clear that the decision to relocate the National Culture Center preceded the decision to lease the land, hence, had it not been the RLJ Group of companies, someone or company would have leased the land."
He further clarified that the US$200,000 was never given to his ministry for the renovation of the building to house the school. The Minister disclosed that the amount has been earmarked for the first phase of the relocation process of the National Culture Center. He explained that out of the US$200,000, the temporary relocation funds for the residents, the cost of renovating the Amphitheater derived from that amount.
Dr. Bropleh said the US$200,000 is owned by the Liberian government, designated to be used for the first phase of the relocation process of the Culture Center. He said out of that amount, payment would be made for the 50 acres of land in the Gbondo Town area where the new National Culture Center will make its home.
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Among other things, the government's Chief Spokesman added that in the agreement between the government of Liberia and the RLJ Group of Companies, the company was to provide upfront US$360,000, US$200,000 representing a projected cost to relocate the center and US$160,000 representing rental for the first two years. He said US$200,000 was earmarked for the relocation and US$160,000 designated as revenue.
Isn't it time the phDs in Liberia engage in to a very meaningful and viable research in their respective fields for the betterment of Liberians and yea humanity the world over than sitting in government offices to deal otherwise in the poor tax payers' money? Dr. Bropleh, what are you doing with your ph.D in the Ministry of Information when the University of Liberia and or Cuttington is in dire need of qualified persons to impart the right kind of knowledge to the ever growing population.Shame on you Mr. Bropleh to have engaged in such dubious transaction when Liberians... [Read Full Text]
The Executive, Judicary and Legislative branch of governmemt are out of control. This is an out of control government not much different from previous governments.
I don't think the Liberian Government is out of control. Minister Bropleh was honest enough to explain to the Liberian people the more details surrounding the Kendeja:s saga. The President also had explained to the Liberian people the reason why Kendeja will be relocated to a new area. We all should be proactive towards decisions that will improve our country and create jobs for our people. Thus, the Cultural Center has been in that area for time in memorail, but it doesn't always has to be a beach front. This is an area that has never been cared for before... [Read Full Text]
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