MARKETERS ACCUSE PUBLIC WORKS OF UNDERMINING GOV’T AGENDA.

A group of Liberian business owners under the banner “United Marketers Association of Liberia (UMAL)”has accused the Acting Public Works Minister, Ruth Coker-Collins of undermining the Liberian Government’s Pro-poor agenda by protecting a Lebanese businessman over them.

According to UMAL, after demolishing the former ‘Gobachop’ Market in Red Light by the Government of Liberia and subsequently relocated them, 40 persons grouped themselves and legally secured a site to construct their shops through the Liberia Marketing Association (LMA).

They noted that after meeting all their requirements and started the construction on the two lacks of land provided for them, their site is being given to a Lebanese businessman who, they said, is the owner of West African Cold Storage in Red Light, Paynesville by the Acting Public Works Minister.

Speaking to West Coast TV Liberia at the Omega Business Center on Thursday, October 27, 2021, the group stated that after all arrangements with the Government of Liberia, the Acting Public Works visited the Omega market and instructed personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) to stop the ongoing construction project.

The leader of the group, Lawrence Linga, indicated that the AFL personnel refused to take command and not assigned at the facility for such matter.

The group noted that the Acting Public Works Minister’s intention is not only to get them out of business but to also undermine President Weah’s Pro-poor Agenda for Development in Liberia.

“We are calling on the President of Liberia to come to our aid or else we are willing to fight legally until our rights are restored,” the group stated.

However, West Coast TV have made all efforts to get comment from the CEO of West Africa cold storage but at no avail.

When contacted the public relation office at the Ministry of Public Works Mr. Simon Gambleh to get comment from his boss, he however responded that, Minister Cooker shall respond to it at any time of her convenience.