Frances Yeabe Kromah, owner of another damaged business center situated behind the bus stop at the intersection to the general market in Louisiana Township has explained her ordeal in the recent demolition of business structures along the main road.
The business woman narrated that she obtained a squatter right with an official receipt signed by the Office of the Township Commission that grants her permission to a spot to do business.
“To my surprise, the officers who came to destroy the place said they were acting on a court order and I was shocked because I did not see any document from a court that pressurized the tension on me to put my goods outside of my container while my structure was being destroyed,” she narrated.
Mrs. Kromah said unfortunately, she was away from the business center recently when she received a phone call from her son, informing her that court officers and armed police from the Police Support Unit (PSU) of the Liberia National Police had surrounded the place with instruction to demolish structures on the land belonging to a man identified as (Abu) at the time.
Despite the narrative, Commissioner Moses White had earlier admonished that the business woman was legally occupying the spot under the authority of his office for a period of time because the place was a government- owned premises.
According to her, the zinc over her container shop was immediately removed with the goods thrown outside and there was no local authority from the township to distinguish her business from others.
However, several victims of the demolition admitted that they did not seek the consent and permission of the commissioner’s office before doing business alongside the main street; but they were obligated to Harrison Powell believed to be the current market superintendent of Louisiana and another man known as ‘Chichipoley’ that is now deceased.
Several attempts of call to Mr. Powell did not yield result since the happening. The In Profile Daily has been closely following the recent demolition and unveiling frustration of victims especially the business woman who said she was authorized by authorities in the township to gain a spot to do her business.
“The commissioner made me to understand that his office was responsible to give squatter right to people on government premises in the township. I paid Two Hundred and Seventy-five United States dollars to the commissioner’s office for a 20ft container. But there was nobody to talk for me during the attack on my business.”
Mrs. Kromah who sells wholesale drinks in a maroon container informed this paper that due to the situation, her business has been shut down for about a week as she held talks with Commissioner White of Louisiana Township.
She noted that her discouragement is mounting because the commissioner continues to tell her that his engagements with the land owner would have resolved the matter while the goods are spoiling and he keeps telling her to wait.
“I waited and got completely tired. I had gone the extra mile to reach the man who claimed ownership of the land. I had to pay Six Hundred United States dollars for one (1) year to Mr. Abu Jalloh, Caretaker for and on behalf of the owner with official receipt in my possession to remain on the spot,” revealed.
Copy of the legal statement that stipulates payment for the agreement of the business spot between Mr. Abu Jalloh and Mrs. Frances Kartumu Kromah was signed and presented through the legal representation of Cllr. Jonathan T. Massaquoi, representing the International Law Group-Legal & Business Consultants to keep her business running. The business woman further said she awaits a redress from Commissioner White about the money paid for the squatter right denied her.