LIBERIA HAS a notorious pattern of holding on to the past, a practice that has cost Africa’s oldest republic to remain in the doldrums of anti-development while its neighbours around it embark on impressive journeys toward reformation.
WHETHER IT IS holding on to land that will never be developed or limiting its citizenship only to blacks, Liberia appears to be trapped in a time period walloped in uncertainty about where it should stand among the comity of nations.
THE LATEST wrangle spurring a debate involves the US$60 million ministerial complex undertaken by the government of China.
IN SEPTEMBER 11, 2012, both countries signed a multi-million agreement for the construction of the US$60m complex, which would host at least ten ministries and agencies and poised to enshrine a lasting symbol of the friendship between Liberia and China.
“This gift, which is the second largest building project built by the Chinese in Africa, at the cost of 60 million USD, is something that we as Liberians will be proud of, says Clarence Moniba, head of the President’s Program Delivery Unit (PDU) at the Ministry of State. “Development requires sacrifices, and although we are bringing down the old defense ministry, this administration is glad that a modern complex that will improve not only the efficiency of government, but the landscape of this city will be taking its place”.
SINCE 2012, DEBATE over the existing structure has caused a wedge between loyalists and supporters of former President Samuel Doe and those pushing for the construction of the ministerial complex.
IN THE MID 1980S, the government of late President Samuel Doe orchestrated with the Israeli government the construction of a US$4 million bullet proof building to house the Ministry of National Defense.
THE DEMISE of the Doe government brought that construction to a halt.
IN THE YEARS THAT FOLLOWED, talk of demolition of the Israeli- built bullet-proof complex has been eclipsed by murmurs that the plan was a deliberate attempt to ruin unfinished development legacies left behind by slain former President Samuel Kanyon Doe. “Government’s decision must not be interpreted by people as attacking the infrastructural developments left behind by the late President Doe,” quipped former Deputy Information Minister Norris Tweah during a 2012 news conference when angst over the Chinese construction heightened.
DOE, DESPITE HIS MANY frailties did do a lot of good things for Liberia. He brought in development and masterminded several projects which remain lasting to this day. The famed Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville also constructed by the Chinese will forever bear his name because of the immense contribution he made to sports. No one, no leader or ruler in the right mind can ever take that away from him or try to change the name of the SKD Sports Complex.
BUT TIMES HAVE CHANGED. The deal which led to the construction of the Defense ministry complex now on the verge of being demolished, have been swallowed by time and changing governments in both Liberia and China.
TODAY, BOTH CHINA AND ISRAEL remain invaluable partners to Liberia.
AT THE HEIGHT OF Ebola, both countries made strong contributions to help Liberia combat the deadly virus and to this day, both countries are still making invaluable contributions to Liberia.
BUT TIMES HAVE CHANGED and development must continue. Liberia spends way too much money on renting fees for private-owned buildings when those funds could be put toward more valuable agenda items for a nation emerging from war.
CHINA HAS waited patiently while debate over the demolition of the existing structure lingered. Finally, the wait is over and government is going ahead with the construction. No families are being evicted from the area under construction and no one is being told they cannot remain where they are.
THE FACT of the matter is, the ministerial complex will do a lot toward the physical transformation of the Congo Town district and help beautify Liberia and alleviate some financial burden from government – without spending one cent.
THE ISREALIS are not angry that their unfinished edifice is being torn down; and has not offered to complete it.
SO WHAT IS LIBERIA TO DO, keep the unfinished building in its current form until eternity or give the Chinese a chance to put up a structure that has been pledged to be the biggest Chinese handiwork since the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa?
WE DIFFER with those advocating against the demolition on grounds that it stifles development when Liberia must be celebrating the addition of an edifice that will add beauty to a decaying structure; we differ with those tying the demolition and construction to division between the past and the present.
LIBERIA DESERVES to move on from the trappings of yesterday. We owe it to our children yet unborn and a nation in desperate need of all the physical development being thrown its way.
