Monrovia, Liberia – May 15, 2024
The Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) has announced the commencement of a significant and controversial inspection and enforcement exercise, set to begin on Monday, May 27, 2024. This initiative comes after a period of community awareness campaigns that many residents and business owners feel were insufficient and poorly communicated. The MCC claims its primary objective is to ensure compliance with City Ordinances, improve sanitary conditions, and enhance the overall appearance of Monrovia, but critics argue that the plan is rushed and lacks proper consultation with the affected communities.
The enforcement exercise will target key areas across the city, including Central Monrovia, Tubman Boulevard, Congo Town, Old Road, Vai Town, Freeport, Duala, St. Paul’s Bridge, Somalia Drive, Gardnersville, and Double Bridge. Mayor Charuk Siafa defended the operation amidst growing public skepticism, emphasizing the MCC’s commitment to creating a cleaner, safer, and more organized city.
“We have engaged the community extensively to inform and prepare them for this exercise,” Mayor Siafa stated. “Our goal is to create a cleaner, more organized city that is safe and accessible for everyone. We urge all residents and business owners to cooperate with our efforts to enhance the quality of life in Monrovia.”
However, many residents and business owners remain unconvinced. The MCC’s enforcement exercise will cover a range of activities that some believe will disrupt daily life and target vulnerable populations unfairly:
Inspection of Establishments: Factories, hotels, motels, restaurants, bakeries, water factories, supermarkets, amusement centers, stores, warehouses, supply shops, petrol stations, and video clubs will undergo inspections to ensure compliance with city regulations. Business owners have expressed concerns about the arbitrary nature of these inspections and potential fines.
Removal of Abandoned Vehicles and Makeshift Structures: Abandoned vehicles and makeshift structures on various streets will be cleared, which could displace many people who rely on these spaces for their livelihood.
Clearing of On-Street Garages: Unauthorized on-street garages will be removed, raising concerns about the livelihoods of mechanics and car repair workers who operate in these areas.
Restriction of Unauthorized Street Selling: The MCC will address unauthorized street selling while recognizing and organizing street vendors and petty traders on designated streets. Critics argue that this could severely impact small traders who depend on street vending to survive.
Removal of Faded Billboards and Banners: Outdated and faded billboards and banners will be taken down, but some business owners feel this could hurt their advertising efforts without offering viable alternatives.
Enforcement of Building Painting: Private and public buildings along main streets will be required to adhere to painting standards, which could impose additional financial burdens on property owners.
Mary Brown, a local market vendor, voiced her concerns about the initiative. “It’s good that the city wants to look nicer and be more organized. But I hope they consider the small traders like us who depend on street vending for our daily bread. We need to find a way to work together,” she said. “This plan seems more like an attack on the poor than an effort to improve the city.”
The MCC has encouraged individuals seeking permits for demolition, petty trading, and construction to contact the City Planning Department. Additionally, all petty traders selling on Broad Street are urged to meet with the Federation of Petty Trader Union for rearrangement. However, many traders feel that these measures are too little too late.
Mayor Siafa concluded by stressing the importance of community support and cooperation. “The success of this initiative depends on the active participation and support of all residents and business owners. Together, we can achieve our primary goal of making Monrovia the city we desire.”
Despite these assurances, the looming enforcement exercise has stirred significant unease among Monrovia’s residents, who fear that the MCC’s actions may exacerbate existing socio-economic challenges rather than alleviate them.
