MONROVIA, Liberia – The Ministry of Public Works has issued a stern warning to individuals, businesses, and institutions engaging in construction across the country without the legally required permits, announcing that violators risk immediate demolition of their structures.
In a statement signed by Eng. Prince D. Tambah, Sr., Deputy Minister for Technical Services, the Ministry expressed grave concern over what it described as a growing wave of unauthorized construction activities that undermine public safety and violate Liberia’s zoning and land-use regulations.
According to the Ministry, many of these ongoing projects are being carried out without technical supervision or adherence to national construction standards—conditions that could compromise structural integrity and endanger lives.
“The Ministry is gravely concerned about the wave of ongoing construction activities around the country… without obtaining construction permits as mandated by the Zoning Law of the Republic of Liberia,” the statement read.
Permit Required Before Any Construction Begins
Public Works reminded citizens that no construction activity—whether residential, commercial, institutional or industrial—should commence without first securing a Construction Permit from the Ministry’s Division of Zoning & Land Use Planning.
Officials say the permitting process is straightforward and designed to ensure that buildings meet minimum safety requirements, proper setback regulations, environmental guidelines, and community development plans.
The Ministry encouraged the public to “avoid any future eventuality” by complying with the law and taking advantage of what it described as its “seamless process” for obtaining permits prior to construction.
Illegal Structures in Alleys and Right-of-Way to Be Removed
The Ministry also announced a renewed crackdown on buildings erected in alleys, rights-of-way, and other prohibited zones, stressing that these spaces are essential for:
- Public access
- Utility lines (water, electricity, sewage)
- Drainage systems
- Future infrastructure development
Public Works warned that all structures found in these restricted zones will be demolished, regardless of completion status.
Demolition Inevitable for Violations, Ministry Says
The Ministry made it clear that failure to comply with zoning and construction regulations leaves authorities with no choice but to take enforcement action.
“Failure to obtain a valid Construction Permit… will leave the Ministry with no alternative but to demolish any structure erected in violation of this regulation,” the statement emphasized.
Officials say this enforcement drive is part of broader efforts to ensure orderly urban development, reduce disaster risks, and prevent unsafe buildings from endangering communities—issues that have been recurring challenges in Monrovia and several rapidly growing towns.
Call for Nationwide Cooperation
Public Works is urging all citizens, property developers, and institutions to immediately visit the Ministry to regularize their construction plans.
The statement ended with a national call to responsible development:
“Building the future begins with building rightly!”
