-Senate Committee urges relocation of Liberia’s capital
By Jerromie S. Walters
The Senate Committee on Public Works and Rural Development has proposed the relocation of Liberia’s capital. This recommendation comes amid a backdrop of growing concerns over severe seasonal floods that wreak havoc on the city, destroying property, endangering health, and causing widespread suffering.
Senator Saah H. Joseph of Montserrado County brought the issue to the forefront, highlighting the devastating impact of the floods, which have become a yearly crisis during the rainy season. He called on the Senate to investigate and develop a comprehensive plan to address the flooding.
Following this, the Senate Plenary summoned key government officials, including the Minister of Public Works, the Chairman of the Liberia Land Authority, and the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These officials were tasked with explaining the technical causes of the flooding, the measures taken so far, and future plans to mitigate the issue.
On June 24, 2024, the Senate’s Joint Committee on Public Works, Public Corporations, and Lands, Mines & Energy held a public hearing to delve into the flooding crisis. The hearing aimed to understand the types of flooding affecting Liberia,identify the causes and exacerbating factors, review government actions and partner contributions, and examine immediate and long-term mitigation plans. Additionally, it explored the benefits of flood disaster mitigation under the Climate Change Convention.
Deputy Minister Prince D. Tamba led the Ministry of Public Works team, Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yakparwolo headed the EPA team, and Counsellor Kula Jackson represented the Liberia Land Authority. The officials reported that Liberia, particularly Monrovia, primarily experiences flash flooding due to heavy and excessive rainfall, resulting in water overflow as the soil cannot absorb the precipitation quickly enough. In addition to flash flooding, coastal flooding and river overflow contribute to the problem.
Human activities significantly aggravate the flooding situation, according tothe Ministry the Ministry of Public Works and the Environmental Protection Agency. These activities include drying and filling wetlands, constructing buildings on wetlands and in alleys, dumping waste in drainage systems, and ignoring zoning and environmental laws. Furthermore, the construction of roads and highways without proper environmental studies and the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, worsen flooding in Monrovia’s low-lying areas.
The Ministry of Public Works identified 30 flood-prone communities in Montserrado County, estimating that over 100,000 people could be affected between July and September. The EPA highlighted global warming and urban migration as major contributors to the worsening flood situation.
The Ministry of Public Works told the committee that in the short term, they plan to partner with the National Disaster Management Agency to create temporary shelters for flood victims and provide adequate drinking water to prevent waterborne diseases. They also aim to collaborate with international partners for emergency assistance. However, the Ministry acknowledged their current inability to prevent flooding entirely, focusing instead on reducing its impact.
To mitigate flooding, the Ministry’s short-term strategy includes continued drainage cleaning, although this process has been criticized as slow and ineffective. Medium-term plans involve demolishing buildings that block drainage pathways. The EPA has issued stop orders on construction projects violating environmental laws and is advocating for a construction moratorium on wetlands to prevent further flooding. They emphasized the need for new regulations to stop construction on these vulnerable lands.
The Liberia Land Authority pointed out issues of uncoordinated efforts among institutions in tackling floods and noted that many swamplands have already been deeded as private property. The Senate Committee’s findings underscored that flooding in Monrovia is primarily due to flash flooding from heavy rains, aggravated by human activities and urban migration. They noted the lack of effective zoning programs and the absence of a comprehensive land use map. Additionally, coordination among government agencies in addressing flooding issues was found to be lacking.
The Committee recommended the initiating of discussions for relocating Liberia’s capital to a less flood-prone area. This move, according to the Committee, aims to alleviate the immense pressure on Monrovia, which was originally designed for 400,000 to 500,000 inhabitants but now houses far more, leading to overburdened infrastructure and rampant construction on wetlands.
The Committee also recommended establishing an institutional framework for better coordination among the Ministry of Public Works, EPA, Liberia Land Authority, and other agencies. They called for public awareness campaigns on zoning and environmental laws and the demolition of buildings constructed on wetlands and waterways in violation of laws. Outsourcing drainage cleaning and ensuring constant monitoring were also suggested. The Committee emphasized the need to prohibit the registration of deeds for wetlands and prevent squatters from acquiring permits. They stressed the importance of preparing new zoning laws and land use policies, designing climate-smart and resilient infrastructure.
Flooding in Liberia
A June 20, 2024, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) report shows that torrential rainfall in Monrovia and its environs has caused flash, coastal, and river basin flooding affecting over 35 communities in the last 72 hours. According to a joint assessment conducted by the NDMA local community structures and the Liberian Red Cross Community-Based Action Teams (CBATs) during the last five days in Monrovia and adjacent communities, about 35 communities have reported experiencing flooding over the last 72 hours.
It further reveals that data reported say that about 22,060 persons were caught up in the floods leading to temporary displacement, loss of valuable household items, and huge exposure to risks of disease outbreaks, loss of habitat (sheltering opportunities), livelihoods mechanisms, and water source pollution. “About 60% of the affected people are women, children, and other vulnerable groups of people including physically challenged, single mothers, among others seeking shelter with neighbors and relatives in adjacent un-flooded communities,” IFRC discloses.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is a worldwide humanitarian aid organization that reaches 160 million people each year through its 191 member National Societies. Liberia’s highest recorded flood incident was on 4th September 2023, in Monrovia flood-prone and low-lying areas affecting an overall of 12,450 people.
From 1st to 4th September 2023, Liberia experienced excessive heavy rainfall in several cities with the highest flooding reported in the North-Eastern counties of Liberia: Grand Cape Mount, Bong, and Montserrado. Areas especially affected are KruTown; Gbarnga City and Monrovia’s coastal and urban side as well as the surrounding areas.
In total, around 15,200 people were reported to have been affected by both urban and coastal floods which swept away infrastructure, fishing settlements, houses, communities’ facilities, etc. On 4th September, Monrovia and its environs recorded the major impact following the five days of cumulative rains from 30 August that affected approximately 12,450 persons (1,778 HHs). The affected were mostly surrounding Monrovia or bordering Sierra Leone and the river crossing the North Est of the country.
