The House of Representatives has summoned Defense Minister Geraldine George and the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Chief of Staff Brigadier General Davidson Forleh over complaints of demolishing several properties in Duazon by soldiers on order of Minister George.
The House took the decision Thursday, June 6, 2024, following three separate complaints from Margibi County Representative, Roland O. Cooper and Sinoe County District 1 Representative, Thomas Romeo Quioh.
In his communications to that august body, Rep. Cooper complain that on May 30, 2024, some armed AFL personnel led by Col. Roland T. Murphy demolished lots of properties on a land where the Millennium Construction Company is situated.
Rep. Quioh, on the other hand, narrated that on May 30, 2024, he received a call from his construction engineer on the site, that armed soldiers under the command of COS Forleh and Minister George marched on his four-bed room house under construction.
He told his colleagues that the building sits on one acre of land, situated at the back of the LTA headquarters currently under construction as well, adjacent the commercial Complex (Millennium Group of Companies), opposite the Barracks on the RIA High Way.
According to Quioh, the land on which the construction at bar is taking place, as a government official, he sought advice and inquired on the legitimacy of the property in question before investing his resources, void of political influence.
“My land was purchased on February 27, 2024, probated on March 18, 2024 and registered with the Liberia Land Authority on March 19, 2024, Vol.3-2024, Page 0300005039,” he said in his communication.
The lawmaker stated further that the land was bought from one, Robert Johnson, Administrator, while John Jaywheh and Youmonyou Shideryou are the Administratress and Rep. Cooper, Emmett Rose, Konah Peter and Saybah Saryon witnessed the process.
“Colleagues, the demolition of my house and a warehouse, stocked with building materials cost is put at US$121,943. When the warehouse was demolished, the solider that went with a yellow machine for the demolition exercise were seen looting the materials and taking them away in pickups,” he said.
My construction engineer who was videotaping the event, phone was seized by the armed soldiers. As we speak, they are still in possession of the phone,” he noted.
The lawmakers then craved the indulgence of their colleagues to cite Minister George and COS Forleh to show cause why they should not be held liable for bringing wanton and unwarranted pain to the residents of Margibi.
