Many international partners have joined the cleaning up of Monrovia and parts adjacent, ahead of the inauguration of Amb. Joseph Boakai and Sen. Jeremiah Koung as President and Vice president respectively, scheduled for Monday, January 22, 2024.
On yesterday, January 18, 2024, several staff from the UN system and foreign missions distributed shovels, wheel barrows, vests, gloves, and rakes, as well as detergents, to local groups cleaning up the city and other parts; and joined them in the exercise.
According to a staff from the United Nations Development Program, who preferred to remain anonymous due to office policy, it was a pleasure to join their local counterparts in cleaning up the city, saying, “Though I am from Nigeria, but I feel very proud of the thousands of Liberians who are cleaning the city on a daily basis. I wish this will not be restricted to the upcoming inaugural event. I would rather that this exercise continue,” he said.
He said, “Liberia is a beautiful country that I love. The people, their behaviors, and culture are no different from my country, so, I feel at home when I’m here.”
For his part, a former employee, who is contracting with UNDP, Augustine Saye, observed that the issuance of materials by the international partners signifies their commitment to working with Liberia at all levels. He said, “I am a Liberian and it pains me to see how our main capital city is dirty, but we will do our best to work with local and foreign sanitation groups with whatever materials we have for the exercise.
Some of the international volunteers, who were seen in high spirits and a joyous mood, praised Liberians for their resolve to promote true democracy after an election where many persons thought the incumbent President would not have conceded defeat.
They described Liberia as a cornerstone of modern democracy in Africa, and called on other leaders on the continent to emulate the good example of President George Weah and his CDC government, who are willing to hand over the mantle of power in a peaceful manner.
The UNDP and her foreign and local partners were seen cleaning Gurley Street, Ashmun Street, Crown Hill, Johnson Street, and other areas.
Since December of 2023, scores of individuals and sanitation organizations began the cleaning up of Monrovia and major communities, as well as key facilities, including the Capitol Building, the Executive Mansion, JFK Memorial Hospital, and the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.
While local and international partners are cleaning up the city, some individuals, especially those living in major communities near the Capitol Building, are discouraging their efforts by throwing tons of garbage in places that were previously cleaned.
“My advice to all of us, whether Liberian or foreigner, is that we should all help to maintain the tidiness of the city. The inauguration is an event, but the look of the city will remain,” Saye said.
