By Precious D. Freeman
A major demolition exercise carried out by the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) in collaboration with the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) has left affected citizens frustrated and seeking answers.
The operation, which took place yesterday on Gurley Street, adjacent the “World Trade Center” led to the destruction of structures deemed to be in unauthorized locations.
Several victims expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s approach, stating that the demolition extended beyond the marked areas.
Mohammed Kanneh, one of the victims, lamented the loss of his shop, which he described as his only source of income.
“The demolition exercise is not a bad one, but it should be done the right way,” he said. “The government promised that only marked areas would be affected, so how did my shop get destroyed? I have three children and a wife to support. How do they expect me to survive?”
Similarly, Thomas Momoh, an employee at the ‘World Trade Center’, raised concerns about the structural damage to the building caused by the demolition.
“The machine broke down part of the side wall, leaving the ‘World Trade Center’ open and vulnerable,” he explained. “We have typewriters, stationery, and other valuable goods inside the shop. Now, with the wall gone, how do we secure our properties at night?”
Momoh also expressed fears over criminal activities, stating that the area is surrounded by disadvantaged youth, locally referred to as ‘Zogoes,’ who frequently break into shops. “Even when the shop was locked, they managed to break in. Now that the wall is wide open, how do we protect our goods?” he questioned.
Several affected individuals are appealing to the government to reconstruct the damaged parts of the buildings to prevent further economic hardship.
“We voted this government into power and decided to focus on our businesses instead of blaming them for the hardships. But now, they are making life even more difficult for us,” one business owner remarked.
Responding to the concerns, Head of Public Relations and Community Outreach for LWSC, Nimpson S.B. Todd, defended the demolition, stating that property owners were given prior notice.
“Since February 6, we informed them about the demolition exercise, but many did not take it seriously,” he explained.
Todd emphasized that buildings constructed in waterways pose significant environmental and structural risks. “Such constructions obstruct water flow, increase flood risks, and introduce toxins into the water supply, endangering both marine life and human health,” he stated.
While the government maintains that the demolition was necessary for urban planning and environmental protection, affected citizens continue to demand a more structured and fair approach to such exercises.
Many are now left struggling to rebuild their lives as the dust settles on Gurley Street.
