Offensive smell at the House of Representatives has created serious public concern here, making the first branch of the Liberian government a no-go around.
The stink smell of bathrooms and its continuous closure at the House has claimed the attention of some lawmakers and visitors.
The embarrassing situation is due to lack of proper maintenance, and the filthiness of the bathrooms, particularly in the House has become the talk of Capitol Hill.
Lawmakers, who had reported for session last Thursday, 30 August could not use the bathrooms attached to the plenary of the House, as some were seen using facilities at the Liberian Senate instead to attend nature.
While some lawmakers apparently tried to manage the embarrassment, Rivercess County Representative Byron Ziaway could hold back his disgust, threatening that if the leadership could not do anything, he will urinate within the compound of the Capitol.
Outspoken Montserrado County Electoral District #8 Representative Acarous Moses Gray, was constrained to run to the Senate’s Canteen to ease himself.
Appallingly, the newly dedicated annex to the House constructed by the Government of China is also being affected by the poor management of toilets. The filths are glaringly visible on walls of the annex that were recently painted.
Speaking to this paper about the filth bathrooms, Student Nora Holder, who is a volunteer staff at the House, laments that it is embarrassing for everyone especially, females reporting for work or going to meet appointment.
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“This situation has now reached an alarming proportion to the extent that staffers are most often compelled to rush to their respective homes to attend to the call of nature; and most embarrassingly, our guests or visitors are also subjected to such predicament,” Student Holder narrates.
Employees were seen Monday, 3 September urinating near the fence inside the compound due to the filthiness of the bathrooms especially, the one near the House’s chambers where most lawmakers go to ease themselves.
A male visitor, who was pressed and attempted to use the toilet was denied entry on grounds that the bathrooms are locked.
Mr. Folley Kenneth expresses frustrations and notes it is disappointing that Speaker Bhofal Chambers, who was a strong critic of former Speaker Alex Tyler, to have poorly managed toilets under his watch like in the past.
Speaker Chambers in a communication dated April 19, 2013, addressed to the House of Representatives, suggested to his colleagues at the time to shut down the entire Capitol due to its hazardous state.
The situation at the House has persisted from one leadership to another, not due to lack of money for janitorial services, but sheer neglect and lack of good leadership, bringing the First Branch of Government to constant public disrepute.
By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor–Editing by Jonathan Browne
