Squatters in the Peace Island Community are obviously finding themselves losing properties acquired around the multi-million dollar unfinished defense ministry building where China is expected to construct a US$60 million Ministerial Complex.
Last Thursday, September 20, 2012, Liberia's Information Minister Lewis Brown publicly announced at a press conference that government had set this Friday, September 28, 2012 as deadline for all legitimate land owners within the vicinity to submit copies of their land deeds, including relevant documents to Deputy Public Works Minister for Technical Services, Victor B. Smith.
The government insists that only those with legitimate properties will be compensated for relocation from the project site after evaluation and demarcation. The acting Communication Director at the Public Works Ministry Christian Harris said government has already written letters to each community dweller on the matter.
Except for the front view of the Peace Island Community around the unfinished defense ministry, those occupying properties across the building say they were never given land deeds by government so they have no claims or documents to present for compensation.
Besides, the Chairman for the community Prince Ben said though it was the government that gave them the land in 2002 without deeds, the authorities did not write them any communication regarding their removal from the island.
"If you want me to leave from here, nobody can question government. But where do I go with my family?" Chairman Ben questioned.
Several residents of the area, who spoke with this paper said since the pronouncement was made by government, they have not received any written communication apparently on grounds that they are illegitimate squatters.
But legitimate land owners at the front view of Peace Island say they were written and are expected to converge for a meeting with authorities at the Public Works Ministry today at 2PM.
A resident of the front view area of Peace Island, Lemoe Brandy told this paper Public Works had communicated with them and scheduled a conference today at the ministry.
Earlier, Acting Communication Director Christian Harris said government would not be responsible to compensate squatters [those illegitimately occupying properties] for relocation.
The Chinese Government has also indicated that the project does not have extra money for relocation thus, the Liberian Government would take responsibility of relocating residents from the Peace Island Community.
The government identified the unfinished building and its surroundings as site for the construction of the ministerial complex following years of fruitless negotiations to obtain part of the vast acres of land claimed by the ELWA mission.
The ministerial complex is expected to accommodate 10 government ministries and agencies, and will only be second largest building on the African Continent, next to the new African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Abba, Ethiopia.
When completed, the facility is expected to enhance coordination and effectiveness among government ministries, civil servants and save millions of dollars being spent on rented properties, housing ministries and agencies.
Last Thursday, September 20, 2012, Liberia's Information Minister Lewis Brown publicly announced at a press conference that government had set this Friday, September 28, 2012 as deadline for all legitimate land owners within the vicinity to submit copies of their land deeds, including relevant documents to Deputy Public Works Minister for Technical Services, Victor B. Smith.
The government insists that only those with legitimate properties will be compensated for relocation from the project site after evaluation and demarcation. The acting Communication Director at the Public Works Ministry Christian Harris said government has already written letters to each community dweller on the matter.
Except for the front view of the Peace Island Community around the unfinished defense ministry, those occupying properties across the building say they were never given land deeds by government so they have no claims or documents to present for compensation.
Besides, the Chairman for the community Prince Ben said though it was the government that gave them the land in 2002 without deeds, the authorities did not write them any communication regarding their removal from the island.
"If you want me to leave from here, nobody can question government. But where do I go with my family?" Chairman Ben questioned.
Several residents of the area, who spoke with this paper said since the pronouncement was made by government, they have not received any written communication apparently on grounds that they are illegitimate squatters.
But legitimate land owners at the front view of Peace Island say they were written and are expected to converge for a meeting with authorities at the Public Works Ministry today at 2PM.
A resident of the front view area of Peace Island, Lemoe Brandy told this paper Public Works had communicated with them and scheduled a conference today at the ministry.
Earlier, Acting Communication Director Christian Harris said government would not be responsible to compensate squatters [those illegitimately occupying properties] for relocation.
The Chinese Government has also indicated that the project does not have extra money for relocation thus, the Liberian Government would take responsibility of relocating residents from the Peace Island Community.
The government identified the unfinished building and its surroundings as site for the construction of the ministerial complex following years of fruitless negotiations to obtain part of the vast acres of land claimed by the ELWA mission.
The ministerial complex is expected to accommodate 10 government ministries and agencies, and will only be second largest building on the African Continent, next to the new African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Abba, Ethiopia.
When completed, the facility is expected to enhance coordination and effectiveness among government ministries, civil servants and save millions of dollars being spent on rented properties, housing ministries and agencies.
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