Tension is mounting in Ganta after the Ganta Support Group INC. accused City Mayor Samuel Saye Hardt of secretly entering a lease agreement with the National Transit Authority (NTA) to convert a long-disputed plot of land once a bustling old market area into a parking lot. The controversy centers on a 16-acre parcel in central Ganta, a vibrant commercial hub in Liberia's Nimba County known for its lively markets and heavy foot traffic. Since 2010, former President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf designated the land as "Eminent Domain" intending it for public use. However, the Ganta Support Group INC, representing local property owners, challenged this in court and secured a favorable ruling from the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice.
Despite the verdict, no implementation has occurred, leaving the area overgrown with thick bushes that now serve as a hideout for criminals, according to residents. Sekou M. Donzo, an elder of the Ganta Support Group INC, condemned the mayor's actions in a strongly worded statement. "The City Mayor has just moved earth-moving equipment onto the old market area our so-called eminent domain land in a clear attempt to clear it for NTA parking," Mr. Donzo asserted. He emphasized that the plot is not only deemed abandoned but protected by rulings from local authorities and the ECOWAS Court in favor of its legitimate owners.
"We view this unbridled move as not only provocative but inclined toward shaking a very hostile beehive. It risks threatening national security by inviting chaos into Ganta. This mayor must stop immediately." The disputed site, located near Ganta's main commercial strip, has historical significance as the former heart of the city's marketplace, where traders once sold everything from fresh produce to household goods. Overgrown for over a decade, it has become a notorious eyesore and safety hazard, with reports of robberies, drug use, and other crimes plaguing nearby businesses and residents. In response, Mayor Samuel Saye Hardt Sr. dismissed the accusations during an interview with reporters on the scene. Surrounded by earthmovers and workers clearing initial debris, he insisted his efforts are purely for public safety.
"I have no plans to sell or enter any lease agreement with the NTA," the mayor stated firmly. "This bushy land is being used by criminals to harm peaceful citizens robbing traders, assaulting women, and creating fear in our community. We're simply cleaning the facility to make Ganta safer for everyone." Local observers note that the standoff highlights broader challenges in Ganta, including land disputes, urban development pressures and the balance between public safety and property rights. As earth-moving equipment idles amid growing protests, community leaders are calling for dialogue to prevent escalation. The Ganta Support Group has vowed legal action if clearing continues, while the mayor's office maintains the work will proceed under the city authority.
Author: Samuel Flomo
