THERE’S ESCALATING GROWTH in government’s demolition exercises on alleyways which are holistically being carried out in key places in Monrovia and elsewhere across the country by the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Public Works.
THESE INTERVENTIONS ARE provoking uneasy calm, bringing crunching pains to bear and causing more tears to drop profusely.
FOR EXAMPLE, OVER the last few days, the residents of Wroto Town along the Sinkor Airfield and Sinkor Old Road belts were sharply affected by these interventions which have made scores of people displaced.
ACCORDING TO THE Minister of Public Works, those places were in the alleyways but people chose to squat there illegally thereby obstructing the mandate of the Ministry of Public Works.
“WE WILL NOT Compromise Breaking Buildings in Alleyways,” the Public Works Minister averred while being questioned by the Senate Plenary.
HE FIRMLY REITERATED the Government’s resolve to demolish all homes and structures constructed within road corridors, alleyways, and designated rights-of-way, stressing that no political, social, or personal considerations will derail the enforcement of existing regulations.
IN SIMILAR TONE, the Congo Town Commissioner Edward Lahai has declared that the Peace Island community belongs to the Government describing residents of the area as squatters.
HE WARNED THAT if development plans are initiated, authorities will take possession of the area, stressing that residents should understand the legal status of the land they occupy. The statement has raised concerns among Peace Island residents, many of whom have lived in the community for years, as discussions grow around land ownership, housing rights, and possible resettlement.
IT’S BETTER TO take precaution whenever thunder roars thereby preannouncing the arrival of the rain. In order words, the demolition exercises are enough signs that those occupying lands belonging to the government are sitting on time-bomb which could explode at any time.