By James Lahai
The Commissioner of Congo Town in Monserrado County has welcomed ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening urban management and local governance, describing the initiative as timely and legally grounded.
Speaking on the February 25 edition of the radio program “Good Morning Cape,” Commissioner Edward Lahai said the reform process is designed to empower township and community authorities to take a more active role in regulating construction activities and enforcing municipal standards.
According to him, the reforms are long overdue and essential to maintaining order in rapidly growing urban areas. He explained that granting local administrations greater oversight will help reduce unplanned construction, improve infrastructure delivery, and promote sustainable development.
“This reform is required by law and reflects the needs of our township,” Lahai said. “It will give city and township administrations the authority to oversee developments and ensure that they meet acceptable standards.”
He stressed that structured national planning remains critical to addressing challenges linked to disorderly expansion and inadequate infrastructure. Without a coordinated framework, he warned, communities will continue to experience congestion and poor service delivery.
The Commissioner expressed optimism that residents support the reform but called for sustained public awareness to ensure that the policy reaches institutions responsible for implementation.
He urged government agencies and citizens to work collaboratively to advance orderly urban development.Meanwhile, Lahai emphasized that efforts to promote employment for Liberians must be grounded in a fair assessment of the workforce rather than long-standing stereotypes.
He rejected the notion that Liberians are unwilling to work, arguing instead that the main challenge is the limited availability of opportunities.“The problem is structural,” he noted.
“We have not consistently created enough avenues for our people to fully demonstrate their productivity and potential.”
He cited the rise of commercial motorcyclists, locally known as “pin-pin”, as evidence that Liberians are ready to work when opportunities exist.
He noted that many young people embraced the sector upon its introduction, turning it into a reliable source of income and support for their families.
