The Informer (Monrovia)
Akoi Dakala
7 September 2009
It will cost the Liberian government and people, and their I international partners US$10 billion to build a new political capital of Africa's oldest independent state, if the Senate concurs with the House of Representatives.
The House last week passed an act, sponsored by Montserrado County Representative Moses Tandapolie, calling for the establishment of the new political capital of Liberia.
The sponsors of the bill argued that Monrovia, perched on the Atlantic ocean, and hosting almost half of the country's 3.4 million population, does to fit to be a capital of the country; therefore, a new capital was needed to be situated in central Liberia.
When the new capital id built, Monrovia would now be the country's commercial capital, but a communication that followed the bill to the Senate for concurrence stated that it would take at least US$10 billion to build the dream capital.
The bill did no however state where would the funds come from, as the country struggles to pay international debts close to US$5 billion, with an annual budget of US$380 million.
The Senate has meanwhile sent the bill to committee room for deliberation. The Senate Plenary, in its ruling last Thursday, sent the bill to its committees on Internal Affairs, and Judiciary for review.
The House last week passed the act into law under a name and style to be determined.
In the act, the Lower House suggested that the capital may sue or be sued, pleads or be pleaded, and do all other acts that are usually done by similar body corporate.
The document suggests that the charter officers of the municipal government shall consist of a mayor and a council of nine members of whom shall be chairman.
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Why are Liberian lawmakers passing and wanting a $10 billion dream capital. Why are they not passing a $10 billion education, health, food, housing… Ect programs for their people.