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Liberia: Public Works Continue Demolition Exercise
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The Inquirer (Monrovia)
20 May 2008
Posted to the web 20 May 2008
D. Webster Cassell
Over forty structures situated behind the Barclay Training Center (BTC) have been demolished by the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Public Works.
The exercise, accordingly was in continuance of the recent operation reached by the Zonal Committee set up by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to remove and level all illegal structures and squatters occupying government's properties.
A heavily guarded convoy of the Ministry of Public Works headed by the Director of Zoning, Mr. Liahason Warity, stormed the PHP community at about 4:47 a.m. to implement the directives of the Government Zonal Committee.
Upon their arrival there, almost all of the residents of that community were at sleep when the Public Works bulldozers began carrying out their operation during which time dwellers were forced to pack out.
According to the Ministry, the squatters had been warned on countless occasions to vacate the land since 2005 and even called them to a general meeting at which time some of them requested that the government give them ample time so as to enable them find a new location.
The Ministry said that the residents have been very disobedient in cooperating with the government's ally and zoning policy, a situation they claimed, government can no longer allow the squatters to occupy.
The Public Works also disclosed that they have been carrying out several demolition exercises especially in the areas of Duala Bushrod Island, Red Light, Dry Rice Market on Barnesville Road and Air Field Sinkor, with the PHP community making the recent area earmarked.
When asked as to whether the government is prepared to construct on the areas they are currently removing the squatters, the Ministry responded by saying that the government of Liberia has earmarked a major project referred to as "Beach High Way" and claimed that surely, that area is one of the areas to be used.
The Ministry at the same time confirmed that the Somalia Drive and the Robertsfield Highway are the two areas that have been targeted to implement the ally and zonal directives.
Areas already marked with 'MPW', according to the Ministry are possible structures to be demolished in coming weeks as part of the ally and zonal regulations.
Public Works has meanwhile warned all those living in structures already marked by the Ministry to begin arranging to leave because as they put it, the exercise will be done the same way.
The ministry further maintained that they have tirelessly warned and issued notices to residents of marked structures to find new locations but had remained steadfast and adamant.
When contacted, some victims of the demolition exercise told the INQUIRER that they had indeed been asked by the government on several occasions to give them more time.
One of the victims explained that they were forced out of the place because according to him they were all Krahn people and that the government never wanted them there.
Another victim, out of frustration and trauma, said that she was going to join 'street life' so as to have the chance to kill the police officers and the government officials that demolished their structures.
'Why, why and why now were the exact words of another resident who claimed that all what she had worked for has gone in vain.'
Another resident said that they were not able to take a penny from their house as the LNP moved on them and asked them to leave that time of the morning.
Meanwhile, another structure which was in the same vicinity was not demolished for reasons best known to the ministry.
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When our reporter asked an official of the ministry, Mr.Warity said that there were some structures erected there far back before the wars and that those places were not part of the exercise.
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