The Inquirer is a leading independent daily newspaper published in Liberia, based in Monrovia. It is privately owned with a "good reputation".

Will Filth Greet UP-led Gov’t Too?

By Laurina B. Lormia
Montserrado had begun regaining its pre-war look when several individuals and groups took up the initiative to voluntarily clean up the huge stockpile of garbage as well as sweep and cut the grass along the major routes in the capital, Monrovia.
But their effort soon seemed worthless as filth has resurfaced in the city ahead of the inauguration of the Unity Party government of Joseph Boakai and Jeremiah Koung.
Many residents are thwarting the efforts of those temporary volunteers as the dirt and filth are making their way back in the streets apparently due to proper disposal mechanism.
Like the main city center intersections of Benson and Gurley, Gurley and Carey, Gurley and Randall, Benson and Lynch streets, as well as the market square at Waterside are areas where garbage are dumped in full glare without punitive measures by authorities.
Also, sewerage lines are left unkempt as fecal (pupu) water makes its way from main drainages at the intersection of Broad and Mechlin Streets, and on Gurley, Carey, Broad, and Randall Streets.
Some residents in these areas are blaming some disadvantaged youths as those responsible for throwing garbage they collect from around Monrovia in the streets at night.
Madam Mariam Donzo, a resident of Benson Street, complained that each time they pay people to dispose of their garbage, to their displeasure, these persons throw the garbage in the street.
“My brother, we are the same people that are keeping our city dirty, because if we dispose of our garbage by ourselves, we will ensure that it gets to the proper garbage site, but these zogoes will throw the dirt anywhere they see,” she said.
For his part, Isaac Saah, a petty boy at the center of Carey and Randall Streets, said, “Those living in a particular area determine how the place looks. If you take a survey to see some of those living in our main city center, you will understand why Monrovia is always dirty. When you walk around Monrovia at night, you will know that the main residents of Monrovia are zogoes, Fulanis, Lebanese, Indians (I mean no disrespect to them). But how can we relinquish our city to these people and expect it to be clean,” he quizzed.
He averred, “As the inauguration draws nearer, it is important that the MCC and all of us put in measures that will keep this city clean even after the inauguration. This is the capital city of our country for God’s sake.”
Efforts were made to speak with authorities at the Monrovia City Corporation head offices on Ashmun Street, on what the MCC is doing to enforce city ordinances and punish violators, especially those caught throwing dirt in the street, but one officer, who refused to identify himself, referred our team to Mayor Jefferson Koijee.
While it is true and by statute that the cleaning up and maintenance of the city is the responsibility of the City Corporation, it is also incumbent on private citizens to maintain tidiness.

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