By Bill W. Cooper
The building hosting Liberia’s first branch of government as well as the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism were scenes of discussion after they got over flooded amidst heavy downpour of rain.
The incidents, occurred concomitantly yesterday, August 13, 2024, while having their respective functions graced by guests.
At the seat of the lawmakers in Monrovia, they along with their staffers and other government officials were visibly stranded and unable to access the building; amidst the ongoing public hearing on the GAC audit report by lawmakers.
The heavy rains, which fall the whole of Tuesday, also flooded the entire yard of building before quickly making its way into Rotunda of Legislature, leaving it completely submerged and inaccessible.
According to our reporter, it was also observed that the rooftop of the building was also leaking from out and inside, while the hearing was ongoing on the Joint chamber of the building.
Also, some lawmakers who were inside the building at the time of the flooding were forced to evacuate and seek shelter elsewhere, as some were also seen wading through waist-deep water in an attempt to reach safety.
It is reported that the flooding has also caused significant damage to the building itself, with reports of structural damage and water damage to the interior but the extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Meanwhile, the flooding has also raised concerns about the safety and security of the building, as well as the ability of lawmakers to carry out their duties coupled with skepticism about how government business will be conducted in the coming days.
However, the yesterday flooding is just the latest of the many flooding that has hit the country, as Liberia has been plagued by heavy rains and flooding, which have caused widespread destruction and loss of life as well as displaying others.
The government has come under fire for its handling of the disaster, with many criticizing officials for failing to adequately prepare for and respond to the flooding.
Critics have at the same time called for greater investment in infrastructure and disaster preparedness to prevent future disasters from occurring, ensuring the safety and well-being of Liberians.
They noted that the flooding of the Legislature serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that natural disasters can have on a country and its people and as such, the need for urgent action cannot be overemphasized.
