-UL Student Leader, and Campus-Based Party Outraged, As Senate Prioritizes Capitol Repairs Over University Renovation
By Jerromie S. Walters
Students from the University of Liberia have expressed their frustration following a recent decision by the Senate Committee on Ways, Means, Finance, and Budget. During a budget review on Thursday, the committee proposed an allocation of $1.8 million for repairs of the Legislature’s joint chambers, a move prompted by a fire incident at the Capitol on Wednesday.
The swift allocation has not gone unnoticed by students, who have been advocating for the renovation of their university for over four years. They argue that the government’s actions highlight a troubling disregard for educational infrastructure.
Mary Korpo Kerkula, the current President of the University of Liberia Student Union (ULSU), tells this paper that they are disappointed, labeling the Senate’s decision as an “unfortunate situation.” She stated, “As a student leader I think it is a very unfortunate situation. With the swift response of the Senate Leadership, it tells how these people are concerned squarely about themselves and their well-being because at the level of the University of Liberia, we have had the issue of renovation for the last four years and we have not seen the kind of infrastructure development that we can reference.”
Kerkula further emphasized the implications of the Senate’s priorities, stating, “Seeing the saturation that happened yesterday and today we are seeing a preposition from the guys (lawmakers) it tells us that they prioritize themselves then the overall good of the Liberian people so the situation that happened at the legislature yesterday is an eye open up for us, especially the voters. That we have the responsibility to hold these people accountable and transform all of our anger, disenchantment, and disagreement..: at the ballot box.”
Like her, Odecious Mulbah, Secretary General of the Student Unification Party (SUP), characterized the Senate’s decision as an affront to students. Speaking with this paper late Thursday, he vowed that SUP would mobilize students in a concerted effort to demand government action on the university’s renovations.
Mulbah: “Firstly we are very disappointed for the fact that the government has shown that it is very possible to quickly allot a certain amount of money for an institution… and they have not had the same being demonstrated at the University of Liberia so we see it as an affront. All the time we had been the ones calling for the renovation of the University of Liberia.”
Mulbah emphasizd, “In the coming days we will be making our position clear. Obviously, we will have to rally the students in a very organized manner to make us that our voices can be heard. If we will have to sleep at the Capitol Building we will sleep there.”
He added that the contrasting priorities of the government illustrate a troubling lack of commitment to education. “The two scenarios clearly show that the government does not have an interest in education.“ He stated that they would sit to watch the government trash the renovation and other necessities of the state-run university and prioritize other initiatives.
The unfulfilled promise
President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. received a representative leadership delegation of the students of the University of Liberia at the Executive Mansion on July 2, 2024. The student delegation, led by the current University of Liberia Student Union (ULSU) President Mary Korpo Kerkula, included leaders of the Student Integration Movement (SIM), the Student Democratic Alliance (STUDA), the Progressive Student Alliance (PROSA), the Varsity Christian Fellowship, and the University of Liberia Muslim Student Association.
In their presentation to the Liberian Leader, the students, through their spokesperson Kerkula, presented six key areas of critical concern for the government’s attention. Key among the challenges is the need for the University of Liberia Administration to improve facilities, carry out renovation works on the University’s campuses, and take tangible steps to upgrade the laboratories, provide tools, and upgrade the libraries with materials meeting international standards.
The students also stressed the importance of providing internet connectivity to the University of Liberia Student Union Resource Center, which would give students access to digital space and ease their communication problems. Furthermore, the students emphasized the necessity of internship opportunities, scholarships, and student exchange programs. They also urged for the facilities at the University to be made handicap-friendly to ease the mobility challenges faced by physically challenged students.
In response, the President acknowledged the pivotal role the University of Liberia played in the nation’s development and as a safe haven for refugee students from warring African countries. He expressed his commitment to providing an improved and conducive learning environment, especially at the University of Liberia. However, this promise by the president has not been actualized. Pundits wonder why it took less than 24 hours for the president to initial measures to address the Capitol Building fire disaster.
The Fire Disaster
At 6:00 AM on Wednesday, residents of Capitol Hill and neighboring communities were jolted awake by a fierce blaze engulfing the Capitol—the seat of the Liberian Legislature. The fire rapidly intensified, and wreaked havoc on the building, particularly within the Joint Chambers and adjacent areas of the Capitol’s central wing.
Article 58 of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia mandates that on the 4th Monday of January every year, the president must present his administration’s legislative program for the ensuing session of this Honorable Legislature, and report to the Liberian people, through their duly elected representatives, in Joint Assembly, in the joint chambers on the State of the Republic. However, this constitutional requirement will not be adhered to if the Joint Chambers remains in the same condition.
The mandate
On Wednesday, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai instructed the Ministry of Public Work and the General Service Agency to conduct an assessment that would determine the magnitude of damage caused by the fire on the Capitol Building,
The President provided that the assessment will determine the Executive assistance in rebuilding and restoring the Capitol Building, the seat of the National Legislature. “We acknowledge the challenges they face and offer our assistance in rebuilding and restoring the Capitol. Furthermore, I direct the Ministry of Public Works and the General Services Agency to conduct an assessment to determine the scope of the damage.” Early Wednesday morning Liberians woke up to the terrible news of the eruption of a devastating fire at the seat of the first Branch of Government Capitol Building.
But the President employed that the incident is a mere fleeting stain that should never undermine the country’s progress. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to democracy, and the principles of good governance. “I also reaffirm the commitment of my Government to democracy, the rule of law, and the principles of good governance. Let us therefore ensure that this incident is a mere fleeting stain that should never undermine our country’s progress.”
The Liberian leader called on the security agencies to expedite their investigation into the cause of the devastating fire. At the same time lauded the Liberia National Fire Service, volunteers, and law enforcement officers for their efforts in controlling the blaze. “I call on the security agencies to expedite their investigation into the cause of the devastating fire.”
