J. Nathaniel Daygbor
31 December 2008
The fire that gutted the house of Liberia's Information Minister, Dr. Laurence Bropleh has claimed the attention of every Liberian, most especially the Government he is serving. Apparently against this backdrop, the government has announced it would probe circumstances that led to the fire.
The government through Press Secretary Cyrus Badio said it will along with the United Nations in Liberia (UNMIL) and other partners launch an investigation to establish circumstances that led to the burning of the house.
Though Mr. Badio did not say when investigation would get underway and how long it will last, he said however that the process will be done as speedily as possible, and that is intended to keep Liberians very informed on the incident.
It may be recalled that the house which is said to have valued over US$500,000 last week gutted fire and burnt to the ground.
The government in similar fashion set up an investigative team to probe the cause of the fire that gutted the Lands, Mines and Energy, but failed to release the findings of the investigation, if there are being any.
Minister Bropleh is quoted as expressing frustration at the incident, that what he has labored for over the years has been destroyed in few minutes time.
Read comments. Write your own.
Copyright © 2008 The Analyst. 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.
My people this is beyond my comprehension, would someone please explain this to me. Why would the government use tax payer dollars to probe the circumstances that led to the burning of Mr. Bropleh’s house. Was he residing in a government house? If the answer is yes than it’s the government responsibility to investigate the circumstances that led to how her property was destroyed. For example, the Executive Mansion when portion of it was gutted by fire. We don’t have fire investigators in Liberia to determine the cause of the fire; will the government bring in experts from South Africa as in the case of the Executive Mansion? On the contrary, if Mr. Bropleh’s house was private property shouldn’t it be probe by an insurance company.
The populist are already suffering, and if the government can allocate resources to investigate a private residence that was gutted by fire, than it is equally important that the government to do the same for houses or makeshift dwellings in West Point, Newkru Town, Looking Town, Bussy Quarters and else where.
The Struggle Continues!
How is it that a Minsiter in a Government which just emerged out of civil war be able to build a home valued at over $500,000? and what business is it of Government to probe the circumstances or give special treatment other than that which is afforded ALL Liberians who's house burned down. In my opinion; the Governemnt should be probing where Dr. Laurence Bropleh got the $500,000?
Hi Zota, It is the banding responsiblity of a government in any giving civilized society to protect, defend and find and prosecute criminals who commit crimes against anyone in society. In this case, the government of Liberia has everyright to use the tax payers' money to investigate the burning down of Minister Bropleh's house. Except in a case(s) wherein the government has failed to perform similar task when it happens to the poor person in the society. If so, then, I would surely concord with your doubt.
Is there any report from the fire Department regarding the fire?
I remembered reading here on allAfrica last year about a clergyman's home that was set on blaze by group of individuals because of a sermon or comments the pastor made on the radio that this group felt offended their religiosity . It seems nothing was done then . Did Dr. Bropleh in recent time put out any press release or made comments that certain group may interpret as offensive to the beliefs or values ? There may be a connection or logical link of this fire and the that which burned the pastor's home last year. The Justice ministry must use all best available resources to investigate this matter. This is a very serious matter.