Liberians woke up Wednesday, December 18, 2024 to the shocking reality of watching their country’s legislative building being ravaged into a cloud of flames igniting out of the ceilings of the joint chambers currently hosting the Majority Bloc members of the House of Representatives.
The Liberia National Fire Service (LNSF), backed by the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation struggled for hours to contain the disaster which initially proved futile due to challenges of lack of effective firefighting equipment to reach the epicenter of the flames.
Before the situation was brought under control, the building had already incurred extensive damage and destruction of properties, and has led to public frustration with some blaming the careless management of a recent fire incident that occurred recently in the same part of the build, while others are relating it the current contention at House of Representative involving the removal of embattled House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa back by the Minority Bloc.
It can be recalled that last week, another fire incident occurred on the second floor in the same building which firefighters successfully managed, attributing it to an electrical fault.
Pundits suggest that the Authority of the Legislature did not do due diligence to investigate the extent of the electrical shock in the building by consulting expert electrical engineers, but sought partial restoration of the electrical system in order to continue with normal business.
Others have linked the incident to a viral video circulating on Facebook, where Montserrado County District #9 Representative Frank Saah Foko was seen threatening to burn the part of the joint chambers of the building being used for session ground by the Majority Bloc to conduct illegal business.
Unlike the fire incident of December 10, 2024, the flames this time around affected the chamber and offices along the third floors of which forced staffers that arrived at the building early for work to evacuate, as firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the disaster. The cause of the fire had not yet been established up to press time, but the outbreak led to huge infrastructure and historical losses.
Speaking to reporters, President Joseph Boakai said the government will no longer tolerate such behaviors and refuse to accept this situation.
“We call on our security forces to thoroughly investigate these matters and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.
The Liberian leader said individuals who are facing difficulties should have avenues to seek remedies, adding that this is not a place for hooliganism, while pledging commitment to building the country despite the numerous challenges faced.
Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate Nyonblee Kargna-Lawrence said the Senate extends its deepest gratitude and appreciation to the dedicated team of firefighters who bravely responded to the outbreak at the Capitol.
She said their swift and courageous actions in the face of danger prevented the spread of the fire to other parts of the building and safeguarded the lives of those present.
“The fire incident MUST be thoroughly investigated to determine the cause, and where applicable, justice must be served without fear or favor,” Pro-Tempore Lawrence said.
For his part, embattled Speaker Fonati Koffa, when questioned by journalists, clarified that he personally does not manage his social media pages.
Responding to a word he posted, “Alamo,” embattled Speaker Koffa explained that it was intended to describe the determination of students—both boys and girls—who fought for their rights.
Koffa also calls for thorough investigation into the situation at the Capitol, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
The Justice Minister Oswald Tweh said no arrests were made in connection to the incident at the Capitol building.
The Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) has condemned in the strongest terms the fire outbreak at the home of the National Legislature.
LCC said the incident is a grave affront to democracy and urges the Ministry of Justice, through the Liberia National Police and the Liberia National Fire Service, to immediately conduct a thorough investigation, and if arson is confirmed, those responsible must be held accountable.
The LCC calls on all Liberians to reject actions that undermine public institutions built with taxpayers’ contributions and international support, saying, Liberia’s progress depends on unity, recovery, and reconciliation, free of hate, deceit, and self-interest.
