By Bill W. Cooper
With the allotment of US$1.8 million for the renovation of the Capitol Building joint chamber and rotunda in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, several Liberians are uncertain regarding the timeline and execution of the project.
The building, which suffered significant damage from an alleged arson attack last year, amidst the ongoing leadership crisis at the House of Representatives, has become a focal point of concern for many Liberians since the incident.
Many are now questioning whether the renovation will commence soon or if it will follow the path of the Executive Mansion, which has seen substantial funding yet remains incomplete since its fire incident during the first term of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2006.
The capitol building, a historic structure that houses the Legislature which is the country’s first branch of government, has been a vital part of Liberia’s governance since its construction in the 19th century.
However, early Wednesday morning of December 18, 2024, Liberians woke up to the news that fire engulfed the building, completely destroying the bottom and top of the rotunda, the joint legislative chamber which is regularly used for the deliverance of the State of the Nation Address by the President and for other legislative activities, including public hearings, among others.
Firefighters and officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) assessed the Capitol Building after thick smoke engulfed its House Wing, and while the source of the smoke has yet to be identified, firefighters have advised everyone to stay clear of the premises as investigations continue.
Staffers were also forced to evacuate after the smoke was detected in the evening time in the section of the building housing the offices of Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah and Representative Richard Koon, the ‘Speaker of the Majority.’
Emergency responders, however, remain on the scene as they work to determine the cause of the incident and ensure the building’s safety, with President Joseph Boakai condemning the act during his tour of the scene.
But in response to the incident, the Liberian Senate, through its Committee on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget, headed by Bong County Senator Prince Moye, wasted no time to ensure that monies were allocated towards the rehabilitation of the destroyed Building.
Providing a briefing before the passage of the budget on Thursday, December 18, 2024, Senator Moye disclosed that the committee took a decision to allocate the amount at the time technical works on the draft budget are being finalized.
In the wake of the fire, the government promised swift action to restore the Capitol Building.
However, as months turned into years, the lack of visible progress has led to growing frustration among the populace.
Many Liberians are now questioning whether the US$1.8 million allocation will translate into tangible results or if it will be lost in bureaucratic red tape, much like the ongoing saga of the Executive Mansion renovation.
According to him, the US$1.8M was a proposal intended to show that the government is committed to jump-start rehabilitation before the intervention of its international partners, but said funds were approved following the passage and signing of the budget by the Legislature and President days after the disclosure.
The allocation of funds for the renovation was met with mixed reactions from the public; with some Liberians welcoming the financial commitment, they expressed skepticism about the government’s ability to deliver on its promises.
The Executive Mansion, which has been under renovation for several years, has now become a symbol of inefficiency and mismanagement, leading to fears that the capitol building project may face similar fate.
The Executive Mansion, which serves as the official residence of the country’s Presidency, has been undergoing renovations for several years, dating far back as 2006.
Despite receiving a budget allocation of over a million US dollars, the project has faced numerous delays and setbacks from past and current administrations, leading to frustration among citizens who question the government’s ability to manage public funds effectively.
Critics argue that the Executive Mansion’s renovation has become emblematic of a broader issue within the government: a lack of transparency and accountability in the execution of public projects.
Judging from the Mansion’s experience, many are left wondering whether the same fate awaits the renovation of the capitol’s new initiative, with several Liberians expressing doubts about the government’s ability to manage the renovation effectively.
John Davies, in an interview with the paper on Monrovia, said, “We have seen too many promises that have not been fulfilled. The Executive Mansion has been under renovation for years, and we still see no end in sight. How can we trust that the capitol building will be different?”
‘So, the capitol is where our laws are made, and it should be a priority. But if they can’t even finish the Executive Mansion, how can we expect them to handle this project properly?” he wondered.
Also, Mary K. Doe, echoed similar sentiments, asserting that without a clear timeline and accountability measures in place, the project could easily fall victim to the same pitfalls that have plagued the Executive Mansion renovation and other projects in the country.
“We need to see a detailed plan, with milestones and deadlines. Otherwise, this will just be another case of money disappearing without any results and a means for few individuals to get rich at the detriment of Liberians once more,” she noted.
Meanwhile, when contacted through WhatsApp text, the Senate Committee Chairperson on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget, Prince Moye, has yet to respond to our message till press time despite a series of messages sent to him.
As citizens await further announcements regarding the project timeline, only through open communication and a commitment to excellence can the government hope to regain the trust of its citizens and demonstrate that it is capable of delivering on its promises.
The success of this capitol building’s renovation will also depend on effective project management, transparency, and public engagement, as all eyes focusing on Boakai’s administration for the success of this historical project.