By Domingo Dargbeh
Madam Frances Yonger Morsay, owner of the “Help Yourself Business Center in Paynesville, has called on the government to reconsider its decision to evict residents from the 72nd Junction near the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) facility.
While appealing to the government, Madam Morsay broke down in tears as she pleaded for justice.
Madam Morsay claimed she was not properly informed about the eviction order.
“I do not occupy AFL property; if we are to leave this land, we must be given notice, which we have not received.
As a Liberian businesswoman, I have invested over US$1.5 million.”
She recalled that the land her business is established on was acquired from a family with deeds dating back to the 1970.
Madam Morsay added that the family currently resides in the U.S., and has requested two weeks to return to Liberia to address the situation; something the AFL appears unwilling to accommodate.
Madam Morsay stated that she has occupied the land for the past 10 years, and was never informed that it belonged to the military.
The land in question is located near the Army Barracks, and Madam Morsay has meanwhile, described government’s intervention as essential, given her significant financial investment in the area.
Madam Morsay also said, those affected by the eviction have reached out to Representative Priscilla Abram Cooper’s office, but have yet to receive any response.
We are appealing to the office of the President and the Ministry of National Defense, citing that for the past week, no one has conducted business at her center, placing serious financial pressure on her.
A fortnight ago, the Ministry of National Defense issued a two-week ultimatum for the immediate eviction of all illegal occupants from Camp Ramrod Military Barracks in 72nd Community.
For the expiration of the deadline, the AFL Engineering Battalion erected physical barricades to demarcate the facility.
“If my property is confiscated, I will lose US$1.5 million. As a businesswoman without any support, I have come this far,” said Madam Morsay.
Camp Ramrod has been occupied illegally since the civil war erupted, with repeated efforts to reclaim the facility proving unsuccessful.
The Ministry noted that the ongoing occupation has “constrained the AFL’s ability to rehabilitate the facility and undermined efforts to expand accommodation for newly recruited personnel.”