By Jessica Cox
The General Services Agency (GSA) says renovation work at the historic Centennial Pavilion in Monrovia is progressing, with the facility expected to be completed and dedicated before November.
GSA Director General Hon. Galakpai W. Kortimai made the disclosure Thursday during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, where he provided an update on the rehabilitation of the government-owned facility.
Kortimai said the GSA, as the custodian and manager of government assets, considered it necessary to undertake a comprehensive renovation of the Pavilion following years of partial repairs. According to him, the building was constructed in the 1940s and has been used over the years for major government activities, including Independence Day celebrations and other events.
He said previous repairs were often carried out partially ahead of major occasions, rather than through a complete rehabilitation of the facility. “Under this government, we have decided to do a 100 percent full renovation,” Kortimai said. The GSA Director General reported that roofing works have been completed, with the entire roof being replaced to address longstanding leakage problems.
He said plumbing works are about 50 percent complete, including the renovation and replacement of facilities within the bathrooms.
Electrical works, according to Kortimai, are approximately 60 percent complete, with wiring and other electrical installations being undertaken with support from the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC). He also placed painting and related finishing works at approximately 50 percent completion.
Kortimai explained that the GSA is preparing the surfaces of the building before applying the final paint. He said work had already been carried out on the front section, with additional areas being prepared for finishing. Works involving the drainage system and other external areas of the facility have reached approximately 70 percent completion, according to the GSA chief.
He said sections of the existing drainage system had deteriorated and are being replaced. Work is also being done on the gate and other areas around the facility. Kortimai further disclosed that the renovation includes replacement of portions of the interior ceiling that were damaged by leakage.
He said the existing plaster of paris (POP) ceiling had developed problems over the years because of water leakage, prompting the decision to replace it with another ceiling system. Materials for the work have been sourced, he said, with the remaining interior activities expected to resume shortly. Kortimai said the overall objective is to give the Centennial Pavilion a modern outlook and improve the facility’s condition.
The GSA Director General also spoke about the agency’s broader responsibility for government infrastructure and assets.
He said the agency keeps records on government buildings occupied by ministries and agencies, as well as government properties leased to private entities.
Kortimai explained that while the GSA is responsible for managing government assets, some construction and rehabilitation projects fall under the responsibility of other government institutions. He cited a building under the purview of the Ministry of Justice and said the GSA would engage the ministry to determine what could be done concerning the facility.
The GSA chief said the agency’s technical personnel and monitors continue to be involved in observing government construction and infrastructure-related activities. He stressed that the agency remains responsible for helping ensure that government properties are properly managed and maintained.
Kortimai said detailed information on government-owned and leased properties can be obtained from the GSA’s records, noting that the agency maintains statistics on the buildings and other properties under its management. The ongoing rehabilitation of the Centennial Pavilion is expected to bring the facility back into improved condition ahead of its planned dedication before November, according to the GSA Director General.
