IPNEWS: The Commissioner of the Municipal Government of Oldest Congo Town has reported significant progress across key development sectors, including education, capacity building, sanitation, revenue generation, and community governance, as part of its ongoing efforts to complement the national government’s ARREST Agenda.
Education: Strengthening the Foundation for National Transformation
Commissioner Lahai reaffirmed education as a central pillar of its local development strategy. In alignment with national priorities, the municipality undertook a comprehensive assessment of public and selected private schools ahead of the 2025/2026 academic year to evaluate students’ access to basic learning materials.
Based on findings from the assessment, the Township launched a back-to-school intervention on October 7, 2025, distributing essential supplies including copybooks, pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, book bags, and instructional materials to four schools. The initiative benefited more than 300 students and also included minor renovation works in select institutions.
In addition, the Commissioner announced collaborative enforcement of a “No Selling During School Hours” policy aimed at reducing child labor and improving school attendance. Despite challenges, fifteen children previously engaged in street vending were registered and enrolled in schools within and beyond the Township. Authorities also conducted broader assessments of all educational institutions within the Township, pledging to expand interventions in the future.
Capacity Building: Investing in Human Resources
Addressing long-standing gaps in staff capacity, the Lahai said his leadership initiated structured training programs for municipal employees. This included a capacity-building seminar facilitated by professionals led by Mr. Wilcon Duncan.
“In August 2025, Township officials participated in the Emergency Management Seminar on Emergency Rescue for FOCAL countries, held from August 12–25. Additionally, through collaboration with the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) and the Indian Embassy in Liberia, two Township staff members benefited from specialized emergency rescue training in New Delhi from September 15–25, 2025”. He said
The Township further reported ongoing computer education training for three municipal staff and eight community members. On December 12, 2025, seven trainees one from the Township office and six from local communities graduated with professional vocational certificates from the Covenant Builders Vocational Training Institute in Voker Mission.
Engagement with High Schools
To promote academic excellence and youth development, the Township intensified engagement with secondary schools. On March 15–16, 2025, a two-day educational symposium brought together 12 schools and 150 students for lectures on career pathways, peer pressure, and mentorship. Participants received certificates of participation. Lahai reported
On May 8, 2025, the Township also organized a one-day intensive preparatory session for students sitting the 2025 WASSCE examinations, providing learning materials such as pencils, pens, and sharpeners.
Municipal Collaboration with MCC
A major milestone was achieved on January 15, 2025, when the Oldest Congo Town Municipal Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Monrovia City Corporation. The agreement focuses on revenue collection, revenue sharing, and large-scale waste management.
Through this collaboration, the Township received sanitation materials and created temporary employment for 30 residents between May and December 2025. During this period, a total of USD 7,526.92 and LRD 1,708,895.24 were disbursed, with December payments expected before the festive season.
Sanitation and Environmental Safety
Despite limited resources, sanitation and environmental management remained a priority. Over the past 18 months, the Commissioner of Congo Town reported notable improvements through regular market cleanups, participatory community cleaning exercises, and enforcement of waste management regulations for businesses.
The municipality also enforced strict measures against bathroom pipes discharging directly into wetlands and waterways, resulting in a reported reduction in such practices. Significant progress was made in wetland preservation through stop orders on illegal construction and reduced sale of wetland areas. Community-based sanitation teams were established, with authorities urging residents to collaborate with local leaders on proper household waste disposal.
Township Parking and Revenue Generation
Since its launch on July 22, 2024, the Township parking system has emerged as a major revenue source, despite a decline in mid-2025. To address this, professional consultants from Richtrans were hired to rebrand and enhance efficiency. The Commissioner narrated.
“As of November 26, 2025, applications were opened for new positions within the parking department, with a revamped system requiring vehicle operators to pay parking fees starting at LRD 30, alongside penalties for non-compliance. Authorities called on motorists to adhere to parking regulations as a shared civic responsibility.”
Revenue Performance
The Commissioner pointed out that Revenue mobilization has remained challenging due to limited public awareness of decentralization and civic responsibility. However, through enhanced collaboration with the MCC and increased staffing, the Township reported improved revenue performance surpassing collections from the previous eight years combined.
The introduction of an open digital revenue platform now provides real-time data on billing, collections, and outstanding payments. Township officials announced upcoming engagements with business owners to better understand their challenges and jointly create a more conducive business environment.
Community Elections and Land Dispute Resolution
The Township reported progress in restoring legitimate community leadership, resolving long-standing leadership crises. As of July 2025, 39 out of 44 communities now have duly recognized leaders. Plans are underway to address expired tenures through constitutionally guided elections.
In collaboration with the Liberia Land Authority and the Ministry of Public Works, the Township handled 77 land-related cases during the review period—successfully resolving 66, with 11 pending. Authorities emphasized impartiality to prevent recurring disputes.
Special attention is being given to Peace Island, where recurring land conflicts persist due to inadequate documentation. The Township confirmed ongoing collaboration with the Liberia Land Authority and community leaders to find sustainable solutions, while clarifying that squatter rights do not confer permanent ownership.
Looking Forward
The Municipal Government of Oldest Congo Town reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive development, peace, and accountable governance, calling on residents, community leaders, and business owners to continue working collectively toward sustainable growth and stability.
