Monrovia – The heavy downpour on Tuesday left Monrovia’s streets and neighborhoods submerged, but it wasn’t just the city’s residents who bore the brunt of the flooding. The Capitol Building, home to Liberia’s National Legislature, also fell victim to the relentless rain, with water seeping into hallways and rotundas, forcing workers to scramble with buckets to remove the deluge. The flooding rendered many offices inaccessible.
As the rainwater pooled on top of the annex that houses the seal and flag, it flowed through windows into the rotunda, affecting both the ground and first floors of the Senate and House of Representatives. Many believe this flooding is a direct consequence of the extensive modifications lawmakers have made to their offices under the guise of modernization or expansion. These changes have reportedly clogged drainage systems, leaving the building increasingly susceptible to water damage. Maintenance workers from both the Senate and House spent hours trying to remove the accumulated water, while engineers were swiftly deployed to address the issue.
The Capitol Building was originally constructed and dedicated in 1956 during the tenure of William R. Tolbert, Jr. as vice president of Liberia and president of the Senate, while Richard A. Henries was Speaker of the House. Edwin Morgan served as president pro-tempore of the Senate.
In 2018, President George Weah dedicated two newly constructed annexes of the Capitol Building. It was one of the developmental projects he inherited from the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf government.
The construction of the additional annexes was undertaken by the People’s Republic of China as a gift to the people and government of Liberia, amid the lack of adequate office spaces for lawmakers and their staff. The project cost US$12.9 million.
Tuesday’s rain began at about 5:00 am and subsided between 2:00 and 3:00 pm, leaving large sections of the city submerged. The flooding severely disrupted daily activities, making it difficult for citizens, including marketers and workers, to reach their destinations. Reports from various parts of the city, including the St. Paul Bridge Community, Duala Market, Clara Town, Doe Community, West Point, and other areas, indicate the situation was dire. The corridor between the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company and Vai Town on Bushrod Island was particularly overwhelmed, with floodwaters creating dangerous conditions for both vehicles and pedestrians.
The grounds of the Capitol Building, a symbol of Liberia’s governance, were not spared. The rotunda was seen filled with water due to a leaking roof, highlighting the vulnerability of even the most critical infrastructures in the capital to extreme weather conditions. This sight has raised concerns about the resilience of Monrovia’s infrastructure in the face of increasing climate-related challenges.
James Payne, a keh-keh driver intercepted at the Freeport corridor, expressed his frustration over the situation. “We are finding it very difficult to work today. The roads are flooded, and some passengers are afraid to get in the keh-kehs because water is entering inside,” he lamented. Payne called on the government to take immediate action to open up the drainage systems to allow the water to flow, stressing that the situation is affecting their livelihood.
Amid the ongoing challenges, social media platforms, particularly Facebook, became flooded with photos and videos showing floodwaters entering the homes of residents in affected areas. Many flood victims were seen carrying their belongings, including mattresses, dishes, and clothes, signaling the displacement and homelessness caused by the floods.
The National Disaster Management Agency of Liberia (NDMA) recently estimated that around 100,000 people are at risk of further flooding, windstorms, and coastal erosion during this rainy season. This estimation underscores the urgency of addressing the underlying issues contributing to such disasters.
In response to the worsening situation, the leadership of the Liberian Senate has announced plans to initiate discussions on relocating the capital of Liberia. The Senate’s leadership cited the increasing population within Monrovia, which they believe is putting undue pressure on the city’s limited land space and exacerbating the impact of flooding.
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