Liberians were astonished on Wednesday morning when the news spread like a rumble of thunder, “the Capitol Building Joint Chambers”, the seat of the Liberian Legislature was gutted by fire.
The Joint Chambers’ is regarded as one of the most scared chambers at the Liberian Legislature. It is where the President of the country meets the Lawmakers and makes a formal report to the People of Liberia on the progress and challenges of his government in January every year.
The chamber is also used to hold hearings for public officials of government.
Liberian President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and his Vice President Kpan Jeremiah Koung visited the grounds of the Capitol to see the damage that was caused by the fire.
Other officials also at the scene were embattled House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Kanga-Lawrence, and Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman.
President Joseph N. Boakai who toured the area, expressed disappointment and revealed that the government would investigate thoroughly, and perpetrators would be dealt with according to the laws of Liberia.
President Boakai said “We are not going to accept this. We are calling on the Ministry of Justice and all security apparatus to investigate, and we’ll deal with them who are caught.”
The Liberian leader warned against impunity for those who are caught or responsible for the destruction of the Capitol Building. He told journalists “We will set the tone for all other people, who when they get angry, will burn down this place or that place.”
According to President Boakai, there is always a remedy for those who have problems and that is the rule of law. He informed Liberians that the government would not settle or allow violence to take center stage in the country.
“We are not going to settle for this or allow this to happen in the country. This is not a place for hooligans’ but responsible people who are here to serve the Liberian people. I don’t care what they do, we are going to build this country for the future generations”, President Boakai noted.
Embattled House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa in a post on Facebook said “As a leader and a citizen, I am deeply saddened by the fire incident at the Capitol, it is shocking as it is perplexing when our country’s limited economic mean. An immediate investigation into the cause of the fire is necessary and must be done.”
Moreover, the government faces an imperative task and that is to uncover the truth and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Additionally, the implications of this fire at the Capitol Building extend far beyond structural damage; it strikes at the very heart of our democratic principles and public trust.
