-Liberian Leader says dialogue will resolve impasse
Monrovia, Liberia: The President, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, has hailed residents of Fendall whose structures were demolished for exercising high level of patience and understanding in the face of the ugly ordeal brought upon them.
President Weah said he was thrilled by the peaceful deportment of the locals, pledging to work with them find an amicable solution to the problem.
He made the statements Monday, January 21, 2019 in Fendall, rural Montserrado County, at a forum organized by the Liberia Media Development Initiative (LMDI) to bring the Fendall demolition victims in a meeting with the President.
Reportedly, about 3,000 homes were bulldozed and ravaged nearly three years ago on orders of the University of Liberia authority and Government of Liberia, leaving thousands of locals displaced and in dehumanizing conditions.
The Liberian Leader emphasized the importance of dialogue in solving problems, stressing, “through dialogue, we find the right solutions and the best ways out of any complicated situation.”
“I came here to listen; and I listened to all of you and how you feel about the situation,” the President said, adding: “Damages were done and the land is still in dispute. But I am happy that the land is not wasted. If I am not making a mistake, I think the land is being used by the University of Liberia.”
He said further, “though you are feeling devastated, you continue to exercise patience. You did not resort to demonstration or violence. And I thank you for that.”
He promised that his government would consider discussing further on the matter towards making the appropriate decision.
President Weah observed, without casting blame on anyone, that mistakes might have been made in the past regarding the Fendall land saga but that his government would now cease upon the moment to fashion an acceptable solution as, in his words, “government is continuity.”
The Liberian leader expressed regrets that homes were demolished over ownership rights between the Fendall locals and the University of Liberia and by extension the Government of Liberia.
Also speaking, the Fendall demolition victims extolled President Weah for taking time of his busy schedule to meet with them and for showing interest in addressing their nightmare.
The Fendall victims likened the Liberian leader to ‘Biblical Moses” who had come to wipe their tears as Moses did when he delivered the children of Israel from the cruelty of the Pharaohs of Egypt.
The forum organized by LMDI was held in the Fendall Community and attended by Minister of State and Presidential Affairs, Montserrado County District #1 Representative, Montserrado County Superintendent, and other officials of government.