By: Julius Konton
Dozens of residents in the Lakpazee Zoo Road community in Monrovia are urgently appealing to the Government of Liberia to intervene following severe flooding that they say was triggered by the construction of a new road without an accompanying drainage system.
The flooding, which occurred after heavy overnight rainfall on Saturday into Sunday morning, left several homes surrounded by water, forcing families to remain indoors and raising fears of a larger humanitarian and environmental crisis if immediate action is not taken.
Residents say they support the government’s road development efforts but argue that the absence of proper drainage infrastructure has transformed what was intended to improve transportation into a serious threat to lives and property.
“We are happy for the road, but it is now affecting us,” one resident lamented while standing in floodwaters that had covered the entrance to his home.
Homes and Families at Risk
According to affected residents, floodwaters inundated the front yards and porches of numerous homes within the community, preventing many residents particularly women, children, and the elderly from moving freely.
Among those affected is Pastor Daniel Duobah, Senior Pastor of the Global Psalm Ministries (Psalm Praise) a church structure that is also affected by the flooidng and he described the flooding as unprecedented.
“This is the first time we have experienced anything like this since living in this community,” Pastor Duobah explained.
He warned that if heavier rains occur during Liberia’s peak rainy season, the situation could deteriorate rapidly, potentially leading to the destruction of homes and displacement of dozens of residents.
“The water has already reached several porches. If stronger rains come, it could enter the entire compound, wash away our homes, and leave families homeless,” he said.
The affected area reportedly consists of approximately ten residential buildings and a church, all of which residents fear could suffer significant structural damage if the flooding continues.
Warnings Ignored, Residents Claim
Community members allege that concerns regarding drainage were raised with contractors before construction of the road commenced.
According to Pastor Duobah, residents repeatedly warned project implementers about the potential consequences of constructing a roadway without adequate drainage channels to direct stormwater away from homes.
“We informed the contractors about the need for drainage before the work started. They appeared to acknowledge our concerns, but nothing was done,” he stated.
Residents now believe that the elevated road structure has altered the natural flow of rainwater, causing runoff to accumulate around homes rather than draining safely away from the neighborhood.
Call for Immediate Government Intervention
Affected families are calling on the Ministry of Public Works and other relevant government agencies to urgently assess the situation and implement drainage solutions before conditions worsen.
“This is an embarrassment for us. We are calling on those in authority to come and rescue the situation before it goes completely out of control,” Pastor Duobah emphasized.
Community members say they are currently living in damp and unhealthy conditions, with stagnant water surrounding their homes and increasing concerns about sanitation, disease outbreaks, and property damage.
Flooding Remains a Major Urban Challenge
Flooding continues to be one of the most pressing environmental and infrastructure challenges facing Liberia, particularly in rapidly growing urban communities around Monrovia.
According to historical reports from humanitarian organizations and government assessments, poor drainage systems, unplanned settlements, and inadequate stormwater management have repeatedly contributed to flooding across the capital during the rainy season, which typically runs from May through October.
The World Bank and other development partners have previously highlighted urban flooding as a significant risk to public health, infrastructure, and economic development in Liberia. Seasonal floods often damage homes, disrupt transportation, contaminate water sources, and increase the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea.
Climate experts have also warned that increasingly intense rainfall events associated with climate change are likely to place greater pressure on already strained urban infrastructure across West Africa, including Liberia.
Residents Hope for Swift Response
As rain clouds continue to gather over Monrovia, residents of Lakpazee Zoo Road say time is running out.
For now, families remain on alert, hoping government engineers and emergency response teams will arrive before another downpour transforms their fears into a full-scale disaster.
“We are not against development,” one resident said. “We simply want development that protects the people it is meant to serve.”
With Liberia entering the height of its rainy season, the situation at Lakpazee Zoo Road has become a stark reminder of the importance of integrating drainage and flood-control measures into infrastructure projects to safeguard vulnerable communities and ensure sustainable urban development.
