MONROVIA – Pro-government pundits assert that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s decision to launch construction of a modern Ministry of Justice Complex on Capitol Hill underscores his administration’s broader effort to link infrastructure development with institutional reform and national credibility. For decades, Liberia’s justice and security institutions have operated from scattered, rented facilities, undermining efficiency, coordination, and public confidence. The new complex is thought not merely as a construction project, but as a statement of state capacity, record preservation, and respect for the rule of law. By situating justice-sector reform within the larger ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, the pundits believe, the administration is signaling that governance, security, and infrastructure are inseparable pillars of sustainable development and democratic consolidation. The Analyst reports.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Thursday, January 29, broke ground for the construction of a modern Ministry of Justice Complex on Capitol Hill, using the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, institutional reform, and the strengthening of the rule of law.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony held at the Ministry of Justice, President Boakai said his government is determined to prioritize roads, public buildings, pothole repairs, and projects that reflect Liberia’s identity and standing as one of Africa’s oldest republics.
The President stressed that national pride must be matched by physical symbols of statehood and functionality. “We are going to do that round because we can’t just say we are an old country, but there’s nothing that represents us as an old, experienced country,” he said, emphasizing the need for public infrastructure that reflects Liberia’s history and governance maturity.
President Boakai explained that public buildings must be constructed with clear purpose and institutional function in mind, noting that efficiency, organization, and record keeping are essential to effective governance. He described the proposed Justice Complex as an ideal facility capable of meeting those standards.
Highlighting the importance of institutional continuity, the President pointed to the risks associated with fragmented office spaces. “Do you imagine if you have to move from one ministry to another, what you lose in terms of records?” he asked, underscoring the need to safeguard official documents and institutional memory for future generations.
The Justice Complex, he disclosed, forms part of a wider national development plan that includes the transformation of key public spaces. Among them is the Omega Market project, which he said will help decongest the Red Light area and improve urban organization.
President Boakai also emphasized that development must remain people-centered, with leaders ensuring that national resources are managed responsibly for both present and future generations. He linked infrastructure investment to education, social progress, and national pride.
“People don’t want people, they want to make their country,” the President said, adding that Liberia must be built in a way that citizens can believe in and be proud of. He described the Justice Complex as a structure that will symbolize Liberia’s dignity and image.
Beyond the justice sector, President Boakai announced plans to establish two football academies—one in Bong County and another in Monrovia—as part of broader youth development and social cohesion efforts. He said sports play an important role in building the mind, fostering unity, and creating opportunities for young people.
The President commended members of the Legislature and officials of the Ministry of Finance for their support, noting that national development is made possible through collective decision-making and institutional cooperation. He also thanked technical experts and ministry officials for advancing the project.
Minister of Justice Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh described the project as the realization of a long-held vision to provide Liberia’s justice and security institutions with a permanent, modern, and purpose-built home. He said the complex will stand as a symbol of institutional strength, national security, and commitment to the rule of law.
According to Cllr. Tweh, the complex will house key institutions including the Liberia Immigration Service, Liberia National Fire Service, Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Witness Protection Program, under a coordinated framework. The Liberia National Police is not included in the project.
He noted that consolidating these entities will enhance coordination, efficiency, professionalism, and service delivery, while significantly reducing government expenditure on rented facilities.
The Justice Minister disclosed that the government has committed US$20 million to the project, describing the allocation as a clear demonstration of national priority. He added that partnerships will remain critical as construction progresses.
Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan also addressed the ceremony, describing the Justice Complex as a major deliverable under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. He recalled that consultations conducted across all 15 counties identified the displacement of justice and security institutions as a persistent governance challenge.
Ngafuan said the Ministry of Justice and related agencies have for years operated from temporary locations, resulting in inefficiencies and high rental costs. He described current rental expenditures as “humongous,” noting that savings from the new complex will be redirected toward health, education, roads, and other priority sectors.
He added that the project is both practical and symbolic, enhancing efficiency while improving the aesthetics of Capitol Hill, which he described as one of West Africa’s most prominent landmarks.
The ceremony brought together senior government officials, including members of the Legislature, cabinet ministers, heads of justice and security institutions, and technical experts, marking what officials described as a decisive step toward strengthening Liberia’s justice infrastructure and institutional capacity.