By Laurina B Lormia
The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) and the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) have launched a joint operation to identify and demolish illegal structures obstructing sewage and water lines across Liberia.
On Wednesday February 5, Public Works Minister Roland Layfette Giddings and LWSC Managing Director Mohammed Ali, led a street-by-street inspection tour, covering major thoroughfares including Lynch, Center, Benson, Gurley, Randall, Broad, and Meclain Streets.
The inspection revealed widespread encroachments, with structures illegally erected on vital utility lines, severely hindering drainage and sewage maintenance.
The findings left both officials visibly dismayed, highlighting years of government neglect in safeguarding public infrastructure. Minister Giddings did not mince words, issuing a stern warning to property owners violating zoning regulations.
“If our Division of Zoning & Land Use Planning marks your house this time around, rest assured it will be demolished without compromise,” Giddings declared. “It is shameful that after 177 years of independence, Liberia still struggles with basic city planning, while other nations have made significant progress,” he said.
Minister Giddings emphasized that the era of leniency towards illegal construction is over, pledging strict enforcement of zoning laws to protect public utilities and ensure urban resilience.
LWSC’s Managing Director, Mohammed Ali, commended the Ministry of Public Works for its unwavering support, particularly in enforcing demolitions as part of its statutory mandate.
He stressed that restoring Monrovia’s drainage system requires unhindered access to utility lines for regular maintenance.
“The only way to reverse these backflows is by allowing our technicians to reach the utility lines for proper upkeep,” Ali explained. He also highlighted the role of the World Bank-funded Liberia Urban Resilience Project (LURP), spearheaded by MPW, in supporting drainage improvements.
Ali cautioned property owners against wasteful investments on utility lines, noting that such structures will inevitably be demolished to facilitate infrastructure maintenance. He assured the public of a more resilient Monrovia once regular drainage system maintenance is fully restored.
The exercise concluded in Sayon Town, Bushrod Island, with both institutions reaffirming their commitment to sustaining this collaborative effort for the greater good of Liberia.
This joint initiative marks a significant step towards addressing Monrovia’s long-standing urban planning challenges and mitigating the health risks posed by recurring drainage issues.