Monrovia – President George Manneh Weah promised of constructing new homes for fire victims of Popo Beach Community in New Kru Town has kicked off. However, some victims and others think the pace of the project is slow.
Report by Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
During a visit to the disaster site on Monday, April 8, 2019, President Weah told the fire victims that they will return to their new homes within 60 days, but not in zinc shacks.
The President also promised to construct new homes for other residents who have their homes closer to the victims of the fire even though their homes weren’t gutted and burnt down like their neighbors. Following the President’s announcement, construction works began the next day, Tuesday, April 9.
“We want you to give us time and in 60 days, your project will be completed. What will be constructed here are not zinc shacks but concrete structures,” he promised.
It is now 21 days and 34 out of 50 foundations have been completed while nothing substantial have been done on the remaining 16.
During a visit at the project site Monday, April 29, some residents of New Kru Town around the site told FrontPageAfrica that the housing unit project may not be completed within the designated period due to its slow pace.
“From the way I look at this project, it will take more than 60 days to be completed. Those constructing it are still on foundations; some of the foundations have not been completed up to present. We are almost completing the first 25 days,” a resident close to the construction site, who preferred not to be named told this newspaper.
“If they will do a good work, then it will take more than 60 days, but that’s not bad, at least, the President promised will be met.”
According to him, the government will continue to give the victims other supports to carry out their livelihood.
Prior to his move to build new homes for them, several of the Popo Beach fire victims were reportedly sleeping outdoors.
The project is a quick impact project and is expected to target 50 new homes.
The project is being implemented by the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment, (LACE) through the Delta Architectural Construction Company (DACC).
LACE Public Relations Officer Richard Moniba told FrontPageAfrica 447 victims will benefit from the new housing units when completed, while others whose homes are not in modern housing state would also benefit as per the President’s mandate.
According to Moniba, most of those who are working on the construction site are victims of the disasters.
“In all of our projects, we usually include local participation,” Moniba said.
“On the issue of the total cost for the project, I cannot speak to that because I don’t have information on it;” he, however, added that it was a quick impact project.
He asserted that the inclusion of victims to form part of the workforce is intended to help them address other household needs while awaiting their new homes.
Moniba further noted that necessary preparations have been made to ensure that the project is completed within the requisite time firm.
The fire disaster occurred on Friday, April 5, affecting 20 homes.