In the wake of the devastating fire that ravaged the Capitol Building, the Liberian Senate, through its Committee on Ways, Means, and Finance, has proposed a budget allocation of $1.8 million to renovate the building.
The proposed funding aims to restore the Capitol to its original state, allowing for the resumption of normal legislative activities in the joint chambers and rotunda.
The fire, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, caused significant damage to the rotunda and joint chambers, which are crucial to the operations of the Legislature. The cause of the blaze remains unknown, leaving the public in shock as flames engulfed key sections of the Capitol.
The proposal, spearheaded by the Senate Committee chaired by Bong County Senator Prince Moye, highlights the urgency of addressing the damage. However, the lack of a detailed breakdown of the estimated renovation costs has raised questions about the financial transparency of the initiative.
The fire has intensified tensions within the Legislature, already embroiled in political turmoil. Speculation surrounds the incident, with some accusing Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s minority bloc. In contrast, others suggest it could be a strategic move by the majority bloc to undermine the embattled Speaker during ongoing efforts to unseat him.
As the national budget is deliberated, a portion of it may be allocated to restoring the Capitol Building. The scale of the renovation will require significant investment, especially given the extensive damage caused by the fire. The Senate’s proposal emphasizes the financial burden created by the incident, further complicating the already tense political environment within the Legislature.
