MONROVIA — Lofa County Senator Joseph Jallah has called on the Ministry of Local Government to submit assessment reports and supporting legal documents on its proposed reclassification of municipalities across Liberia, urging the Senate to ensure that any changes comply with the law.
By Obediah Johnson
Speaking during a Senate session on Tuesday, October 20, Jallah said the Legislature must obtain the evidence and legal instruments underpinning the Ministry’s actions before reaching conclusions about the status of affected cities, townships and boroughs.
He cited the Local Government Act of 2018, particularly Sections 2.16 and 9.2, as provisions that must be interpreted and applied within the broader statutory framework governing municipal classification and local administration.
“Our greater responsibility is to ensure that the laws we enact work for the people, that the institutions we establish possess the capacity to perform their duties, and that the authority entrusted to government is exercised for the public good,” Jallah said.
He urged the Ministry to make its findings available to the Legislature so the appropriate committees can examine the matter and recommend any necessary clarification.
“We must understand the relationship between administrative assessment and the statutory authority of the Legislature,” he said.
Jallah stressed that the process should not favor one county over another but should ensure that every community receives fair, transparent and lawful treatment.
He also questioned the value of recognizing a community as a city if its municipal government lacks the legal authority, technical capacity and financial resources to protect residents and provide essential services.
According to him, cities must go beyond collecting revenue and maintaining their names and boundaries. They must also promote sanitation, manage public spaces, enforce applicable regulations and protect residents’ lives and property within the limits of the law.
Jallah Seeks Stronger Powers For MCC
Turning to Monrovia’s urban challenges, Jallah called for a coordinated legal and policy initiative to strengthen the capacity of the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) to address abandoned, dilapidated and potentially dangerous buildings.
He described the condition of Liberia’s capital as a national concern, noting that Monrovia serves as the country’s administrative and commercial center and represents Liberia to residents, visitors, investors and the international community.
He warned that neglected properties and unsafe structures can endanger pedestrians, neighboring properties, businesses and surrounding communities, particularly during heavy rainfall and other adverse conditions.
“A property owner’s failure to maintain a building can impose costs and risks on an entire neighborhood,” he said.
However, Jallah cautioned against treating every neglected building as an immediate threat, insisting that enforcement must be supported by evidence and grounded in law.
“We must, however, distinguish between a building that is merely unattractive and one that presents a demonstrable danger. Government action must be proportionate, supported by evidence, and grounded in law,” he said.
He emphasized that property rights must be respected and warned against using public safety as justification for arbitrary demolition, unlawful entry, confiscation or denial of due process.
“The challenge before us is to protect public safety without sacrificing the rule of law,” Jallah said.
Proposes Review of Existing Laws
Jallah proposed that the MCC, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Justice and Legislature work together to assess the existing legal framework governing dangerous buildings and public nuisances.
He called for a review to determine whether Liberia needs amendments to the law establishing the MCC, a national Dangerous Buildings and Public Nuisance Abatement Act, or both.
He stressed that the review should first establish whether existing laws already provide sufficient authority and identify any gaps requiring legislative action.
Jallah said an appropriate legal framework should provide for the inspection and identification of potentially dangerous buildings, written notices to property owners, reasonable periods to correct violations and emergency intervention where structures pose an immediate threat to life.
He also called for administrative and judicial review mechanisms, clear rules governing the costs of remedial action and safeguards against conflicts of interest and arbitrary enforcement.
“Where the danger is not immediate, owners should ordinarily receive notice and a reasonable opportunity to remedy the problem before more serious measures are taken,” he said.
He added that the rights of tenants, neighboring residents and other affected parties must also be protected.
Jallah maintained that the proposal was not simply about removing dangerous buildings but about establishing a modern municipal system that balances public safety, property rights, urban renewal and the rule of law.
He said Monrovia would require clearly defined legal powers, trained personnel, effective coordination with national authorities and adequate resources to become a safer, cleaner and more orderly capital.
The senator argued that government should not impose responsibilities on municipal authorities without providing the legal tools and institutional support needed to fulfill them.
His proposals place renewed focus on municipal governance, the legal status of cities and the need for stronger mechanisms to address urban safety challenges in Liberia.