–As HQ Project Chair Sounds Warning to Detractors

IPNEWS:  The opposition Congress for Democratic Change is expected to formally break grounds for the erection of its new national Headquarters following an eviction and subsequent demolition of the property by its owner.

The groundbreaking is scheduled for tomorrow Saturday, October 18, 2025, following the demolition of the party’s former headquarters in August of this year. 

CDC leaders ahead of this ground breaking have framed the new project as a sign of the party’s “renewal of resilience and unity” following the demolition of its previous building.

The headquarters will be built on the Boulevard route in Congo Town, directly across from the Greater Refuge Church.

Former President George Manneh Weah, the party’s Standard Bearer, will lead the groundbreaking event.

According to the CDC Headquarters Construction Committee Chairman, J. Fonati Koffa, funding is coming primarily from voluntary contributions, with the party aiming to raise 90% of the project funds before the groundbreaking. The new structure is expected to cost approximately $1.6 million.

The Monrovia headquarters is the first step in a broader plan to build offices in all 15 counties of Liberia. 

The party’s old headquarters was demolished by court order on August 23, 2025, amid a land dispute.

The CDC condemned the demolition as a politically motivated attack by the ruling Unity Party, though the government has denied any involvement. The CDC has stated that it has an ongoing appeal before the Supreme Court regarding the property dispute.

In the lead-up to the ceremony, the CDC installed a large billboard at the new site and mobilized its members through a mobile fundraising drive to collect cash and pledges for construction materials.

Ahead of the ceremony, Former President George Weah on late Wednesday evening October 15,  visited the construction site for the new headquarters of his party, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), in Congo Town, Liberia. 

The visit precedes the official groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for October 18, 2025, which Weah is expected to officiate. The new headquarters is intended to be a permanent, fully owned property of the CDC, replacing their former headquarters which was demolished after a court eviction earlier this year.

On the heels of the groundbreaking ceremony, authorities of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation have cutoff water supply to the Congo Town community including the premises of the CDC Proposed Party Headquaters. However, the Chairman of the CDC Construction Committee, Cllr. J. Fonita Koffa, has dispelled rumors by a purported individual claiming ownership of a parcel of land recently purchased by the CDC for the construction of the Party’s new Headquarters.

In a swift reaction to reports suggesting that charges have been filed against the CDC, led by Chairman Atty. Janka Kowo and others, Chairman koffa described these claims as purely speculative and unfounded, and a complete Blackmail to distract the party from its groundbreaking ceremonies slated for this weekend.

The purported landowner identified as  Safee Edwardson, told Spoon Talk that he is deeply  disappointment over the premature move by the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) to conduct a groundbreaking ceremony on his property in Congo Town without concluding a purchase agreement.

According to Edwardson, officials of the CDC reached out to him with interest in purchasing two lots of land he owns in the Congo Two area. He informed them that the land was being offered for sale at a price of over US300,000. However, Edwardson said he was taken aback when the party proposed giving him only US$5,000 to allow them to proceed with their groundbreaking ceremony, slated for October 18, 2025, while promising to continue negotiations afterward.

“I’m disappointed,” Edwardson said. “They came to me, expressing interest in buying the land, and I told them clearly that it was valued at over US$300,000. But what disappointed me more is that they offered only $5,000 to do the groundbreaking and said we would talk about the rest later.”

He described the approach as disrespectful and lacking transparency, noting that no binding agreement had been reached to justify any public ceremony on the property.

Edwardson stated that  he has filed a writ before the Monrovia City court against the CDC for alleged criminal trespass and other crimes. But up to press time, no writ had been served.

However, courageous Chairman Koffa stated that these rumors are solely intended to demoralize the CDC and discourage the party supporters from participating in an upcoming event scheduled for Saturday October 18, 2025. The event aims to break ground for the construction of the party headquarters.

Cllr. Koffa emphasized that the allegations are baseless and a distraction meant to weaken the unity and strength of the CDC.  He expressed confidence that party members remain steadfast and will turnout in large numbers for the Saturday event, undeterred by such rumors.

Also, in a immediate reaction, former CDC Campaign Chairman, Lenn Eugene Nagbe categorically denied ever meeting Mr. Edwardson as claimed by him.

Nagbe told Spoon Talk that he had just visited the property a day and saw nobody claiming ownership.  

“Look, even the CDC fines land on Pluto, the Unity Party will still find people to come at the CDC. This property was purchased since 1962 and resold to the CDC. We are not worried over the ownership of this land and I like to encourage all our partisans to turnout for the ground breaking ceremonies on Saturday.

So if the Unity Party thinks it can used any nephroids means to erase the CDC, They must be thinking twice because the CDC is inerasable.

After this groundbreaking, we will be moving to Grand Bassa county and other counties to construct our party headquarters.

All of these are happening because the Unity thinks it can used illegal means to stop the CDC and we are not moved by that. The CDC will go ahead on Saturday for it ground breaking ceremonies.” Former CDC Campaign Chair Eugene Nagbe clarified.  

Prior to this claim by Mr. Edwardson, rumors spread that the property was in direct juxtaposition to the construction of the government of Liberia ongoing overhead passing.

“Today marks a historic collaboration between the Government of Liberia and UNDP under the ACDP,” Mr. Kuukpen said. “This program is helping to lift communities out of poverty and improve lives through sustainable development.”

He pointed out the tangible impacts of the infrastructure and reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to expanding access to clean water across Liberia.

“Water is life. Clean drinking water helps fight disease, improves health, and strengthens community well-being,” Kuukpen noted.

Dr. James K. Suah Jr., Deputy Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, praised the partnership and reiterated the government’s dedication to rural development.

“For too long, our communities have suffered from waterborne diseases. These solar-powered, chlorinated facilities will significantly reduce health risks and improve safety, especially for women and girls,” Dr. Suah said.

He committed to replicating similar projects across other counties under the ACDP, which also focuses on agriculture, energy, education, health, and infrastructure.

Lula K. Wright, Executive Assistant at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, highlighted the broader benefits of access to safe water.

“Access to clean water is a fundamental right and a driver of public health, education, and economic growth. These solar-powered facilities promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact,” Madam Wright said.

She encouraged community members, especially the women, to take ownership of the infrastructure to ensure its long-term success.

Representative Steve Tequah, Secretary of the Rivercess Legislative Caucus, also praised UNDP for the initiative.

“My dream for Rivercess is for our people to have safe drinking water, and today, that dream is becoming a reality,” Mr. Tequah said.

He promised legislative support and stressed the importance of making sure government contributions to development partners are reflected in the upcoming 2026 national budget.

“Challenges will arise, but we must minimize them, so our people receive what they deserve,” he concluded.

Providing an overview of the project, ACDP Monitoring and Evaluation Analyst Yousouf Sanoe described the program as a flagship effort to meet the needs of Liberia’s most vulnerable rural populations.

Following a nationwide feasibility study, 35 to 40 of the poorest and most underserved communities were selected for initial intervention. A study tour to Senegal, Togo, and The Gambia helped shape the Liberian version of the program, based on the successful PUDC framework in francophone countries.

Key achievements of the project include:

• 5 climate-resilient boreholes for sustainable water access

• 5 elevated water towers with 4,000-gallon storage tanks and chlorination units

• 21 water kiosks reducing water collection time to just 10 minutes round trip

• Repair of 25 hand pumps in Gbarpolu and Rivercess, serving around 3,297 people

In total, over 13,482 residents across beneficiary counties now have access to clean, safe drinking water.

Meanwhile, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has formally notified the Liberian Ministry of Justice of its plans to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its new headquarters on Saturday, October 18, 2025, in Congo Town. The notice follows the demolition of the party’s former headquarters on August 23, 2025, during an eviction process. 

The groundbreaking is described by the CDC as a “great milestone” in its history and a step towards rebuilding after the demolition of its former headquarters.

The new facility will be built in Congo Town, Monrovia. The project, valued at $1.6 million, is expected to be completed within six months.

On August 23, 2025, the CDC’s former headquarters was demolished following a court eviction order. The CDC, however, considers the demolition illegal, stating that an appeal regarding the property was pending before the Supreme Court.

In its communication, the CDC also informed Justice Minister N. Oswald Tweh of the alleged looting of several properties, including a vehicle, during the demolition.

Ahead of the groundbreaking, a man claiming to be the landowner filed a writ for criminal trespass against the CDC. The party’s construction committee chairman, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, denied the claims, stating the disputed parcel was separate from the main site and the lawsuit was later withdrawn.

According to Cllr. Koffa, 52% of the project’s donors are from the CDC, 18% from the ruling Unity Party, and the rest from other groups or wish to remain anonymous. 

As of October 16, 2025, the Ministry of Justice had not issued an official response to the CDC’s notification.