GANTA, Nimba – The long awaited Monrovia to Ganta-Guinea Border Road project has finally surfaced in the city of Ganta.

Photo Credits: Arrington Ballah

The three-year project, which was signed between the government of Liberia and the China Henan International Cooperation Group, is expected to be completed in July 2015. The European Union is funding the project as part of its effort to assist the government’s reconstruction process.

To allow the construction process to proceed smoothly, the government is providing compensation to property owners along the construction route.

William Gyude Moore, the Minister of Public Works, said, “Let me make this clear, we are going to [make] payments for properties marked within the 150 feet [buffer] of the road.” He continued, “This payment will be made to owners with properties marked from the St. John River Bridge, to the Ganta-Guinea Border.”

Moore made these remarks during an interview with journalists following a one-day meeting with owners of the affected properties.

Many of those who have been compensated so far, between Jackie’s Guest House in Ganta to the Ganta-Guinea Border, have expressed frustration about the compensation process. They complained about unequal payments given to owners of similar structures.

Current position of project – Opposite Ganta Police Station, Photo Credits: Arrington Ballah

The group of disgruntled property owners called on Jeremiah Koung, the representative for the district containing Ganta, to address their grievances.

In response, Koung conducted a press conference at his residence in Ganta. Koung told journalists that he received several phone calls regarding the irregularities with the ongoing compensation process.

“I came purposely to Ganta to look into these complaints and managed to take the Assistant Minister of Public Works with me,” he said. “We are holding a meeting here in Ganta and we concluded that individuals who believed that their properties have been underestimated, will [have their properties] re-valued. And as such, a team will depart Monrovia for Nimba to conduct the reassessment,” Koung said.

He called on those who believe that their properties were undervalued to remain calm until the reassessment is completed. He asked that they do not resolve to violence. “Violence cannot solve problems,” Koung said.

Featured image courtesy of jbdodane