Government’s Demolition Drive Leaves Several Residents in Limbo as Victims Cry Foul Over Non-Negotiable Deadlines and Exceeded Demarcations

Paynesville City, Liberia: A large-scale government demolition exercise along the 72nd Boulevard route in Paynesville City has left hundreds of citizens in a state of uncertainty, with many expressing deep dissatisfaction over what they described as abrupt and uncoordinated action.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with K-NEWS Online on Thursday, April 17, 2025, several affected residents said that despite their properties being marked by the previous administration, the current regime issued them an abrupt five-day notice to vacate all structures.

They described the move as rushed and insensitive, leaving families’ homeless and businesses in ruins, most without compensation, relocation assistance, or clear communication.

It can be recalled that on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the Government of Liberia, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Paynesville City Corporation (PCC), Ministry of Public Works, and Liberia Land Authority, under Executive Order No. 143 signed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, commenced a sweeping crackdown on structures deemed illegal across Montserrado County, specifically those situated on wetlands, waterways, and public spaces. 

Meanwhile, as the government operation intensified, exclusive coverage by K-NEWS Online unveiled a troubling picture of promises not kept and a lack of clear communication from authorities.

Victims who spoke to K-NEWS recounted stories of receiving just five days’ notice before their properties were demolished despite having lived or operated in the area for years with marked structures.

They claimed that the markings placed on their homes gave no clear timeline and that they believed further negotiation or official communication would follow. Instead, bulldozers showed up within days, crossing previously assumed demarcation lines and tearing through almost entire communities.

“We were not provided compensation and time to plan,” a displaced shop owner, Darlyn Dupley, asserted. “You cannot destroy people’s livelihoods abruptly and call it development.”

The victims also reported psychological stress from the sudden eviction, lack of government presence post-demolition, and a feeling of being excluded from the national conversation around environmental reform.

Amid growing public outcry, a segment of the population continues to express firm support for the government’s intervention, framing the demolition exercise as a necessary step toward sustainable development and environmental restoration.

While acknowledging the short-term disruptions, they maintain that the long-term benefits to Liberia’s ecological and urban future far outweighed the immediate discomfort.

“Development comes with pain,” victim Archie Arthur told Kool FM. “We need good things; Liberia needs to be fine.”

As the demolition continues across Montserrado and surrounding counties, the government is now being challenged to not only protect land but also protect lives and to prove that sustainable development doesn’t have to come at the cost of justice.

The demolition operation, which began along 72nd Boulevard, is part of a broader initiative to reclaim public land and combat the environmental hazards associated with illegal settlements.