Published: May 7, 2025
GBARNGA, Bong County – Bong County Council Chair Aaron Sackie-Fenlah says the county administration will proceed with the renovation of the Presidential Palace despite mounting public criticism.
Appearing Tuesday on a local radio station in Gbarnga, Sackie-Fenlah argued there is no law barring the county from rehabilitating the once-majestic structure, which now lies in ruins. Once a symbol of executive power that hosted past Liberian presidents, including Charles Taylor, the building has become a hideout for at-risk youth accused of perpetrating violence against peaceful residents.
Sackie-Fenlah described the project as a key component of efforts to restore dignity to the county’s infrastructure.
“The Presidential Palace is part of our infrastructure development plan. Once it’s renovated, visitors to the county won’t attribute the progress to just the superintendent—they will see it as development for all of Bong County,” he said.
He further explained that because the palace is located in Bong County, the local administration has the jurisdiction to fund its rehabilitation.
However, rights advocates—including Aaron Juaquellie, executive director of the Foundation for International Dignity (FIND)—have threatened legal action against the county administration and the County Council. They argue that the renovation should be the responsibility of the national government and not funded through the county’s development allocation.
In a forceful rebuttal, Sackie-Fenlah challenged the activists to provide legal backing for their claims.
“We told them to do the research and come back with evidence. So far, they’ve only gone on the radio to talk. We dare them to bring documents supporting their claims,” he said.
The council chair maintained that the administration would not reverse its decision based on what he called baseless opposition intended to derail progress.
The controversy comes in the wake of an emergency session at the Gbarnga Administration Building, where the County Council approved a US$280,000 allocation for the renovation. The sum represents a substantial portion of the county’s recently passed US$480,000 development budget.
Sackie-Fenlah said both the county administration and the council are prepared to face any lawsuit, asserting that nothing will stop them from moving forward with the project.
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