-Peace Island Community Residents Alarm Over Looming Disaster
By Jessica Cox
Monrovia, Liberia: For three months, residents of Peace Island Community in Congo Town have lived beside a partially demolished building that they say could collapse at any moment. They are now pleading with the government to finish what it started before someone dies.
The structure, a multi-story building formerly owned by a community chairman, was marked for demolition two to three months ago as part of a road expansion project by the Ministry of Public Works, according to resident Barnes Kardor. But when heavy equipment operators attempted to bring it down, the building began shaking, forcing them to stop over safety concerns.
“They tried using a machine to break it down, but the building started shaking. It became dangerous for the operator,” he explained. Subsequently, the building owner arranged for local workers to cut portions of the structure that had been marked. Residents say this has left the building structurally compromised and highly unsafe.
Today, the partially cut building leans precariously over a busy area near a football field, where children frequently gather. Speaking to WomenVoices, Youth Chair Hassan M. Jalieba described the situation as a serious threat to public safety. “The building is in a dangerous area, especially because it is located along a curve. It poses a serious risk to the community, and urgent action is needed,” Jalieba said.
He emphasized that while the structure sits on what is considered a community alley, the failure to properly complete the demolition has now turned it into a hazard. “As a community, we have tried to raise awareness. I have posted about it and engaged leadership, but we are not seeing action,” he added.
Multiple residents expressed frustration over the lack of response from authorities, despite repeated complaints to community leaders, police, and local officials.
A local businesswoman Grace Duo described the building as a constant danger: “Stones fall from it almost every day. Children and even mentally ill people go under there to sit. It is risky for everyone motorcyclists, drivers, and pedestrians,” she explained.
There have already been reports of falling debris damaging parked vehicles, raising fears that the situation could escalate into a fatal incident if left unaddressed.
Community members say they have made several attempts to engage local leadership and escalate the issue to higher authorities, including the township commissioner. However, they claim no concrete action has been taken. Residents argue that since the demolition process was initiated by the government, responsibility lies with the Ministry of Public Works to complete it. “It is not the building owner’s responsibility to chase the government to finish what they started. They marked it, they began the process, and they must ensure it is safely completed,” one former community official stated.
Sources within the community indicate that authorities may be facing logistical or financial challenges in completing the demolition as they have tried communicating with the Ministry of Public Works but have received no response. However, residents say such delays are unacceptable given the level of risk posed.
With the rainy season approaching, fears are growing that strong winds or storms could trigger a collapse, endangering lives and property. Residents of Peace Island are now calling on the Ministry of Public Works and relevant authorities to urgently intervene before disaster strikes. “We are not waiting for people to die before action is taken. This is a call to the government come and remove this danger from our community,” Jalieba stressed.
The Liberian government, under the administration of President Joseph Boakai, has engaged in multiple demolition exercises in 2025 and early 2026, primarily targeting structures on public land, alleyways, wetlands, and along road corridors to facilitate urban planning and infrastructure development, particularly within Monrovia and its surroundings. These actions have drawn mixed reactions, with officials citing necessary urban improvements and supporters praising the efforts, while critics express concern over displacement.
In 2025, the government initiated the demolition of structures along the Duala-Brewerville corridor to expand the road from two to four lanes, aimed at improving traffic and trade with Sierra Leone. In February, 2025, structures constructed over water and sewage lines were removed following a 7-day notice issued by the Ministry of Public Works in central Monrovia. Multiple homes were destroyed in the Saye Town community, (January-February 2026), leading to residents petitioning the House of Representatives and alleging a lack of proper notice and compensation.
