More than a year after the severe destruction at the Joint Chambers of the Liberia Legislature, Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon and Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah toured the damaged segment, expressing disappointment over the condition. The tour comes ahead of a multi-stage damage assessment involving government estimators and international experts. The facility's destruction continues to undermine the Legislature's function, especially during the State of the Nation Address.
Deputy Speaker Fallah expressed profound sorrow over the state of the facility, noting that rebuilding the heavily damaged structure will require significant financial resources and extensive construction work. He estimated that restoring the building to the required standard would cost at least $10 million. Fallah, who has been at the Capitol for 18 to 20 years, described the destruction as "sad," "embarrassing," and "frustrating," and warned that the building will have to be rebuilt from scratch.
Speaker Koon stated that there is no money budgeted for the renovation process, which is estimated to cost around $10 million. He confirmed that there is no plan to take out loans to fund the necessary repairs. The shutdown of the Joint Chambers continues to impair the Legislature's function, especially during the State of the Nation Address. Koon noted that alternative arrangements will have to be made to secure a venue for the President's address.
Deputy Speaker Fallah stressed that destruction of public property must never happen, regardless of political disagreements. He emphasized that the Legislature is the theatre of disagreement, but members should never resort to destruction. Fallah asserted that it was his first time entering the building since the incident and expressed sadness over the level of destruction.
The cause of the incident is yet to be established. A multi-stage damage assessment will be conducted, involving government estimators led by the Ministry of Public Works and international experts. The assessment aims to provide an accurate estimate of the damage and the required reconstruction costs.
Speaker Koon and Deputy Speaker Fallah's tour of the damaged facility highlights the urgent need for reconstruction. The Legislature's function continues to be impaired due to the destruction, and finding a solution is crucial. The $10 million estimated reconstruction cost poses a significant challenge, and the Legislature will have to explore alternative funding options.
The reconstruction of the Joint Chambers is crucial for the Legislature's functionality. The damage has been a significant setback, and stakeholders are eager to see the facility restored to its former state. The estimated $10 million reconstruction cost and funding concerns will require careful consideration and planning to ensure the project's successful completion.
Key points
- The reconstruction of Liberia's Joint Chambers is estimated to cost over $10 million.
- Speaker and Deputy Speaker cite lack of funding as a major concern.
- The destruction has impaired the Legislature's function, especially during the State of the Nation Address.
