CIVIL SOCIETY COALITION BACKS DR. C. NELSON ONIYAMA’S LEGITIMATE OWNERSHIP OF HOTEL AFRICA LAND.
WARNS PUBLIC WORKS MINISTER ROLAND LAFAYETTE GIDDINGS AGAINST ILLEGAL SEIZURE
IPNEWS: The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Liberia (COCSOL), comprising of three pro-democracy Organizations of Liberia, including the African Journalist Network in Peace Building, the African Media Network, and the Montserrado Youths Network, has taken serious note of the unfolding situation between renowned Liberian Businessman/Diplomot, Dr. C. Nelson Oniyama and Public Works Minister, Hon. Roland Lafayette Giddings surrounding a parcel of land in Hotel Africa, Virginia, Montserrado County.
Following investigations conducted under the banner of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Liberia, at this press conference today, the Coalition declares that the property in question was legally and legitimately acquired by Nelson Oniyama on behalf of the Liberia Gulf Association in his capacity as President.
According to African Media Network, Montserrado Youths Network, Minister Giddings on Oniyama and his plan demolition of the Seaview Golf Course is a clever attempt to rob or target an individual through a whole association, thus denying thousands of Liberians of a particular loveable social amenity.
The land was legitimately acquired through a development lease agreement by Dr. Oniyama for the Liberia Golf Association according to the document available to our group.
COCSOL wants to make it categorically clearer that through a rigorous triangular investigations that involved highly placed sources at the MPW, prominent Citizens and Court records that the land is legally acquired and is being legally used by Dr Oniyama and the Liberia Golf Association, and that the Ministry of Public Works has no mandate to adjudicate land ownership or seize private property. That mandate lies solely with the Liberia Land Authority and the Courts. Any attempt by Minister Giddings and his team to use yellow machines to forcibly take the plot of Land belonging to the the Liberia Golf Association hosting the Sea View Gulf Course will be considered an illegal seizure, abuse of power, and a violation of Article 22 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution which protects private property.
Therefore, the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Liberia demands that Minister Roland Lafayette Giddings immediately desist from any planned invasion or demolition exercise of the Seaview Gulf Course .
The group is urging His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to call Minister Giddings to order and ensure all land disputes are channeled through the LLA and the judiciary; and the Liberia Land Authority make public the full record of Dr. Oniyama’s lease and put to rest the propaganda.
“Henceforth, we call on all well-meaning Liberians, the diplomatic community, and international partners to join us in protecting private investments.
If Minister Giddings proceeds with this illegal act, we will have no option but to mobilize mass civil society action, file for an injunction, and petition the Legislature and international human rights bodies.
Private property must be protected. An injury to Dr. Oniyama is an injury to every Liberian entrepreneur. The joint statement noted.
Here are even interesting facts the Minister is to know before even embarking on this his over zealousness. Based on available documents in our possession, it is also being established that the Sea View Golf Course is not a personal property of Dr. Oniyama, as claimed by Minister Giddings in the media.
Oniyama did not buy 100 acres from the government as claimed by Minister Giddings
Rather, the government issued a Development Grant Deed to the Liberia Golf Association through its president, Dr. Oniyama.
The Liberia Golf Association named the course Sea View Golf Course.” COSOL Statement intone.
The golf course land remains the property of the Government of Liberia granted to LGA for the sole purpose of the development of golf. It remains with LGA as long as it is used for the intended purpose. However, if it is used for other purpose(s), it will automatically be reclaimed by the government.
Meanwhile, the adjacent 2.5-acre property containing the club house belongs to Dr. Oniyama, according to a copy of a land deed issued to him by the government which is in our possession. Therefore, Dr. Oniyama has a legitimate ownership of the land containing the club house.
We also have in our possession a land deed issued to him by the government for 5.9 acres where his beach resort is situated.
It can be recalled that in recent timess, the Ministry of Public Works marked the properties for demolition, which prompted Dr. Oniyama to apply for judicial review at the Civil Law Court. Following the review of his application, the court ordered the sheriffs to remove all the ministry’s inscriptions from the properties.
The action by Minister Giddings is the act of harassment and intimidation of private investors, which undermines President Boakai ARREST Agenda, which should be condemned by well-meaning Liberians.
