By Grace Q. Bryant
The Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) is expected to complete the phase one of the four storey building of its newly constructed Headquarters in six months.
Speaking on Wednesday, September 22, at the site of the construction along the Roberts International Airport Highway, the President of the LNBA, Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe said the inspection was intended to assure his members about the enormous effort being made towards the completion of the project.
“The project is being funded by our taxation, dues and other contributions; saying that it is a self-reliance project,” he noted.
Cllr. Goingloe called on donor partners and politicians to donate to the ongoing project which according to him is meant for the interest of the public in the application of the rule of law in the country.
The LNBA President explained that for politicians who preach commitment to the rule of law and are funding other projects in the country, ‘It’s now time that you support this project to demonstrate your true commitment to the rule of law”.
Addressing his colleagues and the construction firm, Cllr. Gongloe disclosed that the Weah administration has not been able to make allotment promised by his predecessor.
While touring the newly constructed facility, he called on members of the Bar, particularly those who are yet to make payment of dues, fees and contributions, to think twice and fulfill the requirements.
” Only your money can make us move out of the structure that was constructed by our first President, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, which we have used for years as our headquarters; adding that the building should have been used for historical purposes as the country’s first President’s residence,” Cllr. Gongloe pleaded with his colleagues.
According to him, he would be happy if lawyers and law firms that have already completed payment of their fees and contributions continue their individual contributions towards the project to complete the work in time.
It can be recalled that during the past government of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s administration promised to allot US$100,000 through budgetary allotment to support the construction of the LNBA building.
For his part, LNBA former president, Cllr. Moses Paegar lauded Gongloe’s leadership for the level of work done so far.
Cllr. Paegar added that he is impressed with the work been done; saying that this is what he called continuity.
“I am so impressed with the work being done, adding to work on a project undertaken by predecessor,” he expressed.
“Cllr. Gongloe is a leader, because if it were other people, they would have abandoned the project because it was started by another person,” Cllr. Paegar explained.
Making remarks, the chief executive officer of Geoskope Limited, Septimus Nyanford said if funding were available, the first floor of the project would be ready for use within a period of six months.