NHA Begins Survey

-To Upgrade West Point

By T. Saye Goinleh

The National Housing Authority in collaboration with the Liberia Institute for Statistics & Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) earlier this week began a three-day survey of the Township of West Point as part of the agency’s effort to upgrade the community into a modern city and put in place an ocean defense system that will protect it from sea erosion.

NHA and LISGIS heads reading map of Westpoint

During a meeting with the township officials including Commissioner William T. Dennis and community elders and youth representatives, NHA representatives re-emphasized President George Manneh Weah’s decision and determination to upgrade the West Point that will bring improved living conditions for its residents.

The survey was expected to focus on information regarding the total population of the township, any record on residents of the area in possession any document leading to claims or ownership to parcel of land that a copy can be submitted to the office of the commissioner of the Township for possible future redress.

Commissioner Dennis at the start of the exercise expressed appreciation to President Weah for his decision to provide better living conditions for the people of West Point and possibly change the community’s destiny as a slum community to a modern developed suburb of Monrovia. ‘’We hope this not a clever attempt by the government to evict dwellers of West Point from their homes’’, Commissioner Dennis skeptically inquired.

During the exercise in West Point, it was established that the landscape of the area is a little over 99 acres of land that absolutely belongs to the Liberian Government, but Liberians and other nationals have resided there for more than forty years.

Also participating in the survey exercise in West point were the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), the Ministry of Lands, Mines & Energy and the Ministry of Public Works.

Commissioner Dennis has meanwhile recommended to the management of the NHA to allow community leaders to have the opportunity to get involved in the discussions about the possible future relocation of West Point that will maybe held on the radio so that they can adequately explain the nature of the exercise to those would be directly affected.

The NHA representatives informed residents of the community that their recommendations to central government are an indication of their preparedness and willingness to work along with the NHA and President Weah to develop the slum community into a better standard.