Mother Of Four Children Appeals For Assistance

Mother Of Four Children Appeals For Assistance

– Over Demolition Of Properties By LWSC

By: Yassah J. Wright

A mother of four children, Mamie Kollie, a demolition victim of the Liberia Water and Sewer Cooperation demolition exercise, has expressed extreme homelessness and difficulties following the demolition of her two bedroom house.

On March 14, 2025, the Liberia Water and Sewage Corporation (LSWC) demolished homes and properties in the Old Mansion Community behind the Liberia National Fire Service, corner of Ashmun and Gurley Streets for constructing and building houses on the pipeline and waterway and the alley drive.

The occupants of the properties are children and families of retired/former Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) personnel, who have been living within the vicinity for over fifty years.

The retired AFL personnel, most of whom are dead, served the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL); at which time the Government of Liberia designated the vicinity to them to be used for shelter/accommodation, considering the proximity to the Executive Mansion.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, on the land, Madam Kollie said  their properties were demolished by the LWSC on grounds that they are in the alley and water ways of the institution.

She disclosed that the property was built by her late father-in-law, who was an armed personnel and they later occupied it before her husband died some years ago.

“So, my son, this place was built by my father-in-law who was in the AFL. Now, he is not here. My husband and myself were here and we born our children here before he died. Now, they came and demolished our homes. We have nowhere to go. My children put zinc house here after they destroyed the place but again the LWSC came and broke it down. I am asking for help because we have nowhere to go and so, let the government look into this,” she noted.

The occupants in an official communication addressed to the LWSC recently signed by sixteen family heads who described themselves as children and families of retired/former Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) personnel, the expressed disappointment and regret regarding the demolition.

According to them, they have been living within the vicinity for over fifty (50) years and during these years, their parents served the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL); at which time the Government of Liberia designated the vicinity to AFL personnel to be used for shelter/accommodation considering the proximity to the Executive Mansion.

They argued that their vicinities were not an alley, while noting that throughout they have been living within the vicinity, and the Government has never notified residents of living within an alley.

They further indicated that their parents served the Armed Forces of Liberia with proud and dignity, and provided safeguard to lives, properties and borders of the Republic of Liberia, as well as provided security to leadership of the of Liberia.

“Our parents built homes in this vicinity during which time the current building that hosts the General Auditing Commission (GAC) was used as the Executive Mansion and next to it is the Executive Pavilion.

“Our parents lived there with their families when our parents served the United Nation backed peacekeeping mission in the Republic Congo between 1960 to 1962” they conclude.

As residents, we were at our various work places fetching for our daily bread when friends and love ones alerted us of the ongoing demolition. It became very surprising for us especially considering the various distances we were. Getting vehicle to run back home and save materials things became challenging and difficult,” they said.

However, occupants said  the demolition was done without any notification to them as occupants, noting that they were surprised to see yellow machine from the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) demolishing their homes, something which made them homeless without formally notifying them regarding the terms, conditions, purpose and objectives of the demolition exercise.

“There were 15 homes/properties destroyed on March 14, 2025, and there were 52 Occupants homes/properties demolished inclusive of family heads and their dependents. Materials and other essential items destroyed. Considering the surprised nature of the demolition exercise, our materials and other essential items left in our various homes and got destroyed. We were unable to collect materials and other essential items,” they disclosed.