The Ministry of Public Works has come under a growing legal, and public backlash over its involvement in a zoning, and mapping exercise in Gbarnga, Bong County.
A civil society activist Aaron Juaquellie has meanwhile, threatened court action if the Ministry continues the exercise.
Juaquellie is also the Executive Director of the Foundation for International Dignity (FIND).
He made the statement on Tuesday, September 1, when he told journalists of the pending legal battle. He called on the Ministry of Public Works to immediately withdraw from the ongoing exercise. Juaquellie argued that the Ministry lacks the legal authority to undertake land zoning, and mapping activities.
He claimed that the responsibility for land administration, and zoning falls under the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), established by legislation to oversee key aspects of land governance.
He cited part two, Section 8.1 (b) of the Act to Amend title 12 of the Executive Law of the Liberian Codes of Law Revised, which established LLA.
Juaquellie said, the provision gives the Authority responsibility for protecting, supporting, and ensuring the development of land-use plans, and zoning schemes, including their implementation through municipalities, towns, and other local government structures.
He also referenced part nine, Section 52.4 of the same legislation, arguing that land-administration functions previously assigned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Public Works, and other government institutions were transferred to LLA.
Against this legal background, Juaquellie questioned the involvement of Public Works officials in a controversial mapping, and zoning exercise being conducted in collaboration with the Bong County Administration. The exercise reportedly forms part of preparations ahead of the government’s planned street-paving project in Gbarnga.
But Juaquellie says, development plans should not come at the expense of proper land administration, or the rights of residents, and property owners.
He expressed concern that disagreements arising from the mapping exercise could become difficult to resolve if the process is handled by an institution, he believes lacks the statutory authority to administer land-related disputes.
Juaquellie has meanwhile, demanded the transfer of the exercise to LLA, which he maintains, has the legal mandate to handle zoning, mapping, and land-administration matters.
Up to press time, the Ministry of Public Works, and the Bong County Administration had not publicly responded to Juaquellie’s allegations, or his threat of legal action.
