Serious construction work of the multipurpose recreation sports park recently proposed by President George M. Weah is said to be ongoing despite calls by the Liberian Senate for its relocation.
According to our reporter who went on the site yesterday, the park construction work is about 30 percent completed, emphasizing that the land which the work is ongoing opposite the residence of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the land reserved by the James Springs air strip in Fiamah for safety.
During his observation, our reporter noticed that some structures have already been erected on the site including the fixing of the wire fence, as well as the cutting of partitions for the foundation of the playing patch.
Our reporter added that the blocks are being laid for the foundations and the workers are into the casting of pillars as well as the beautifying of the site among other things, though all efforts to speak to contractors proved futile as they cleverly stated that they are not clothed with the authority to speak to journalists.
On February 16, the plenary of the Liberian Senate voted overwhelmingly for the relocation of the multipurpose recreation sports park intended to be constructed opposite the Fish Market.
The Senate took the decision based on an amendment made by Gbarpolu County Senator, Daniel Naatehn craving the indulgence of his colleagues to act swiftly as the proposed site park when constructed will pose serious danger for its users.
According to him, another reason is the congestion of traffic which he foresees that when the park shall have been completed, because that route is normally jammed by the motorists throughout the day and that might seriously hamper the free movement of commuters using vehicles as well as pedestrians.
Following his explanation, several other colleagues including Montserrado County Senator, Darius Dillon and Grand Bassa County Senator, Nyongblee Kanga-Lawrence supported his argument on grounds that there is a need that President Weah chooses a better location for the construction of the Recreation Sports Park.
Sens. Kanga-Lawrence and Dillon buttressed that, “It will be better if President Weah even takes this project into different counties or find a suitable location in Montserrado County if he so desires for it to be there but for that location, we are totally against it because our citizens will be at serious risk if that project is completed.”
Following the Senators deliberations, the Secretary of the Senate, Nangborlor Singbeh was then mandated to officially communicate its decision to the office of President Weah for proper coordination although this paper is yet to authenticate as to whether the Liberian leader was informed about the Senate’s decision.
It can be recalled, On February 9 of this year, the Liberia leader broke grounds for the construction of what is to be known as a multipurpose Recreation Sports Park on the IE practice ground and informed the public that it was yet another opportunity to share his dreams and aspirations for the happiness and well-being of the citizens.
He emphasized with pride that by providing modern recreational facilities will contribute to the citizens’ health, well-being and fitness, thereby clarifying that he formally sought the Liberian Aviation Authority’s (LAA) approval relating to the location of the park and that permission was granted on the basis that all heights and elevations would comply with the requirements of the aviation regulation.
“It is safe and distant from the runway as determined by the LCAA and there will be no building erected in the park,” President Weah stated.