Monrovia, Liberia – President Joseph N. Boakai has issued a dire warning against uncontrolled building and lax zoning enforcement, urging greater accountability, discipline, and cooperation among government agencies. The President stressed that Liberia’s fast urban population growth, especially in Monrovia, has increased pressure on infrastructure, resulting in traffic jams, unauthorized construction, and strained public services, while presiding over a cabinet meeting on public works and urban management on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at the Executive Mansion Tea House.
“We must restore order, stressing that indiscriminate building in alleys and restricted zones is undermining national development and placing additional burdens on water, electricity, and sanitation systems,” Boakai Declared.
He pointed out that the problem has been complicated by Liberia’s post-conflict realities, citing the capital’s sharp rise in population from an estimated 350,000 to over 1.5 million as a major cause of infrastructure pressure. The President warned that noncompliance with zoning laws would no longer be accepted and encouraged the Ministry of Public Works to take the initiative in enforcing building standards.
He reminded the public that orderly development still depends on following the right procedures, such as submitting building plans for approval. Beyond infrastructure, Boakai urged ministers to implement changes with honesty and equity, calling for increased institutional accountability.
He commended ongoing initiatives in fields like health and education to remove “ghost names” from payrolls, noting that doing so is essential to rebuilding public confidence. “Do your work honestly and correctly. We are here to serve the people, and at the end of the day, we must account for what we have done,” the President told cabinet members.
The Liberian leader however, accept criticism from the public, especially on social media, and urged officials to continue concentrating on long-term national interests rather than immediate response. In response to current economic tension, he emphasized government intervention to control growing petroleum prices in the face of international instability, pointing out that early action lessened the impact on Liberians in comparison to those in nearby nations.
Additionally, Boakai mentioned a recent infrastructure conference in Ganta where post-conflict development methods were explored. He expressed hope that the forum’s findings will inform future planning. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing living circumstances through better roads, schools, hospitals, and public services, emphasizing the importance of planning, discipline, and group responsibility for the advancement of the country. As discussions continue, the Ministry of Public Works is anticipated to provide comprehensive updates on infrastructure development and enforcement tactics.
