Calm has returned to Waterside Market, one of Monrovia's busiest trading hubs, after government officials assured traders that the market will not be cleared. The assurance came after hundreds of traders marched on the Ministry of Public Works, fearing eviction. The standoff began when 15 iron selling tables were removed from the main road through the market to make way for traffic diversions during construction on Vai Town Road.
The traders, many of whom depend on daily sales to feed their families, feared the move was the first step toward demolishing the entire market. However, officials have since clarified that only tables blocking the main driveway from the Vai Town Bridge will be moved, so vehicles can pass during construction expected to last until July 2027. The 15 seized tables will be returned to their owners.
A peaceful protest was staged on Monday by scores of marketers, predominantly women, in Waterside against the removal of their selling tables along a major road corridor. The protesters accused city police officers of harassment and of introducing new restrictions without consulting their leadership. Marching toward the Public Works Ministry, they chanted, "President Boakai, we want to sell. Give us our tables."
According to Waterside Market Superintendent Roland Tuazama, market leaders had agreed to the diversion plan about two weeks earlier after a joint inspection with the police. However, tensions flared on Sunday after reports that heavy machinery had blocked all routes into the market and that tables had been removed without consulting market leaders. Tuazama described the situation as "shocking" and said that market leaders had not been informed about the removal of the tables.
The dispute was resolved at a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Public Works, the Liberia National Police, and Emmanuel Dahn, the lawmaker representing the area in the House of Representatives. The meeting resulted in an agreement that the driveway should be cleared to allow for traffic diversion during construction. Tuazama said that only the tables blocking the road on the bridge will be moved, and traders displaced from the roadway will be relocated to available space inside the market.
Tuazama called for better coordination among the ministry, the police, and market leaders to avoid future clashes. He stressed that traders need timely information when decisions affect their livelihoods. The Public Works Ministry has agreed to carry out the plan jointly with market leaders, ensuring that traders are not unfairly affected.
The construction on Vai Town Road is part of a larger development project aimed at improving infrastructure in the area. While traders are willing to cooperate with the government's plans, they expect to be consulted and informed about any decisions that may affect their businesses. The government's assurance has helped to calm tensions, and traders are now preparing for the changes that will take place during the construction period.
Key points
- The Liberian government has assured traders at Waterside Market that the market will not be cleared, following a protest by hundreds of traders.
- The construction on Vai Town Road is expected to last until July 2027 and will involve traffic diversions, which led to the initial removal of 15 iron selling tables.
- Market leaders and traders have been assured that they will be consulted and involved in the planning process to minimize disruptions to their businesses.
