FLASHBACK: A scene from previous flooding
By Edwin M. Fayia, III, edwinfayia@gmail.com
Statistics obtained through several reliable data, though yet to be updated, reveal that more than 400,000 flood plain and slum dwellers are bracing themselves for another nightmare and menace of homelessness, displacement, with the rainy season in full swing here in Liberia.
Coming on the back of the usual flooding is the attending miserable socio-economic hardships of many residents in the low-lying parts of Monrovia, Paynesville and nearby settlements of Montserrado County.
Accordingly, the two seasons in Liberia–Dry and Rainy. With the dry season now ended, the rainy or wet season has commenced with extensive downpour of rain occasioned by heavy wind and rains that are sometimes associated with massive destruction, some of which have already been seen before the onset of June 2020, COVID-19 notwithstanding. If the destruction doesn’t come from flood waters, it from the heavy storm which un-roofs homes and other structures.
The flood plain and slum dwellers are, on many occasions, prime targets of rain storm, leaving in its wake the destruction of their personal belongings, amidst the dangers of water borne diseases.
Heap of rubbish at the Redlight Commercial District in Paynesville
Principally, several successive Liberian Governments have made lofty promises of addressing the cardinal and critical issues of poorly constructed now clogged drainages of Monrovia, Paynesville and other densely populated settlements.
Notably however, wetlands and mangrove swamps which are the potential conduits that should host flood waters are perpetually under grave threats from biomedical waste, those from plastic bag, huge housing construction rubble by foreign residents and Liberians.
Spanning from several decades, the unending issue of out-dated drainages not maintained and upgraded continue to render hundreds and thousands of Liberians, mainly flood plain dwellers of urban and rural cities, homeless and in misery.
In spite of the extensive public outcries from urban planners, environmentalists, sanitation experts and health authorities over the years, Liberians, commercially driven sanitation companies and the business community continue to ignore, pay deaf ears and blind eyes to this vital sector of the Liberian society.
As a result in Liberia, churches, schools and health facilities and privately owned housing units are on many occasions submerged under dirty flood waters, thus posing grave health and environmental challenges for the nation and its people.
Specifically in central Monrovia, majority of the drainages and septic tanks have outlived their usefulness. And faeces of multiple kinds are seen flowing on some of the major streets such as Broad at the detriment of businesses operating there, pedestrians and vehicles of every category.
Ironically, the situation on the major streets of Monrovia have become so grave to the extent that some Liberians who play host and received foreign business people. The guests dare use those unhygienic areas of the nation’s political and commercial capital.
Over the years, the worst affected communities have been and continue to be in many parts of Monrovia, Paynesville, Bushrod Island and Joe Bloe Town (Robert International Airport) highway in Margibi and Montserrado Counties, respectively.
In Paynesville City, Monrovia largest business district, construction works that started on a vital road corridor that leads to Kakata at the mouth of the former soft drinks giant Coca-Cola USA Liberia now runs by Monrovia Club Breweries has come to standstill. This is only due to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) outbreak on March 13, 2020 in Liberia.
Regrettably, as a result of the foregoing, hundreds of petty traders and leading business houses carrying out multiple business transactions at the commercial hub of Red-Light Market continue to dump garbage of all kinds in a newly constructed drainage in the heart of the business district in Paynesville outside Monrovia.
In several random interviews with Liberians, urban planners, environmentalists, health and sanitation professionals in Montserrado County last week, they generally called for practical enforceable regulations without fear or favour.
Such regulations should have no boundaries. And enforcement bodies should rise above the temptations of bribes, patronage, selective justice and dishonesty at all times in the discharge of their duties.
Mr. Willie B. Cooper, 68, a former health sanitary inspector in the 1980s pointed out that sanitation must be placed on the national agenda in terms of salaries, incentives and other benefits in Liberia.
Mr. Cooper described sanitation and hygiene as a critical component of national agenda that adds dignity and respect to any nation and its people.
Environmental advocate Davidson M. Kollah, 45, noted that if Liberia flood challenges are to be partially resolved, laws and regulations regarding illegal construction works must be pursued vigorously at all levels of the Liberian society.
He added that all the abuses of the wetlands in terms of building in flood plains and disposing wastes in mangrove swamps must be stopped and violators arrested and prosecuted in the country.
“I think and suggest that fines could serve as possible deterrent and prosecution is one surest way to minimize the abuse of wetlands and mangrove swamps in Liberia,” Mr. Kollah stressed.
Urban planner Harrison G. Diggs, 55, stressed that Liberians and foreign residents must now halt from building houses and huge buildings in alleys and waterways in Monrovia and Paynesville cities.
He stressed the need for the Public Works Ministry to wake and take practical steps aimed at halting all illegal construction works in wetlands, flood plains and alleys in all parts of Montserrado County.
“I also think that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must stop the many trips abroad and concentrate their energy and strategies that would practically address the critical issues of our vital wetlands and mangrove swamps in our two cities of Monrovia and Paynesville,” Mr. Diggs emphasized.