By Sara Camara
Monrovia, Liberia – Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh has raised concerns over the prolonged delay in releasing an official report on the fire that destroyed parts of the Capitol Building in December 2024. The fire, which occurred amid political turmoil, ravaged the Joint Chambers and several offices at the legislative seat.
Speaking during a Senate session on Thursday, May 29, Senator Konneh, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Accounts and Audit, emphasized the need for accountability and transparency in addressing the incident. Five months after the fire, he noted, the public remains uninformed about its cause, with neither the Ministry of Justice nor the Liberia National Fire Service providing a clear account.
“It is taking too long for Liberia and its citizens to know exactly what happened at the Capitol Building,” Senator Konneh said. “Before we put more resources there, we need to know what caused the fire. Our constituents deserve clarity—was it an electrical fault or an act of arson?”
Drawing a parallel to the unresolved fire at the Executive Mansion in 2006, Senator Konneh warned that the Capitol Building could suffer a similar fate if immediate steps are not taken. Despite an allocation of US$80 million for the Executive Mansion’s rehabilitation, the structure remains incomplete, and no one was held accountable for the incident.
“We cannot let that happen again,” Senator Konneh declared, stressing that if President Joseph Boakai is to fulfill his constitutional obligation to report to the nation through the Legislature, the Capitol Building must be fully functional and safe.
He called on the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Fire Service to present a detailed report, not only to the Senate but also to the Liberian public. Senator Konneh further disclosed plans to push for a review of the $1.8 million reportedly allocated for assessing the damage caused by the fire, emphasizing that taxpayer funds, not donor contributions, should be prioritized for the building’s rehabilitation.
In response to his concerns, the Senate took immediate action. Based on a motion filed by Bong County Senator Prince Moye, the Plenary agreed to summon officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Fire Service to appear before the body on Tuesday, June 4. The summoned authorities are expected to provide a comprehensive update on the findings of the fire investigation, the current status of the Capitol Building, and plans for reconstruction.
