By: Nat Nyuan-Bayjay,interlink2004@yahoo.com (231-6-402737/77-402737)

Photo on Flickr by Tweefur

The festive celebration of Liberia’s 162nd Independence Day was described by most Liberians as the worst in recent times. Many stated that they did not feel any impact of the national day, which took place on July 26.

A street-to-community public opinion on Monday—a day on which the National Independence Day was being observed formally since July 26 fell on Sunday—and Saturday revealed that majority of ordinary Liberians felt no impact of the national event while others said peace and stability were the best any independence day could offer.

A Liberian journalist believes there is nothing to boast of in Liberia in the 21st century when the country is celebrating 162 years of existence.

Journalist Robert Kpadeh, Publisher and Managing Editor of a local newspaper, the Parrot, said independence is intended for counties across the world to sit and reflect the gains and successes over the years of their existence, but for Liberia the scenario is quite different.

“Why should we be merrymaking and drinking beer when we have nothing to boast of, our history is replete with corruption, poverty disease, underdevelopment and all the negative vices, so what have we as a people achieve to be happy about”, the journalist questioned a group of Liberians at a forum organized in Monrovia in commemoration of the independence of Liberia.

He said past regimes have failed the Liberian people by their inability to ensure improvement in the lives of the people by making sure basic services such as education, health care, and other social needs are provided.

“When we sit and look after 162 years, what do we see? Poverty, diseases and bad roads, past governments have failed to improve the living conditions of the people, they have divided us into class system, certain people benefiting the resources of the state, so should we joining those who are living happily to celebrate when we have nothing to show?, the journalist furthered.

He said since 19847, no government has made a difference in the history of Liberia, reflecting that during the regime of former Presidents William R. Tolbert and William V.S. Tubman, when two lane roads were constructed, there were funds available to construct four to six lanes, but due to greed they chose to build just two.

Halima Warritay of Bushrod Island said, “For me personally, this is the worst Independence Day. Imagine there is no money to even buy 26th Day clothes or gifts for my children?” Halima who spoke with me while plaiting her little cousin’s hair continued: “I think the economic situation is getting hard every day. Only food me and my husband could afford for these two days but clothes for our children to at least celebrate with their friends? No way.”

Jerry Kutomey who was seen in front of his provision shop in the slum community of Clara Town said: “I don’t feel any impact for this 26th Day. We don’t know what’s happening in this country, but imagine the month has ended and the rate (US-Liberian currency exchange rate) is still at L$70 to L$71”.

The commercial vicinity of Mechlin Street downtown Central Monrovia’s ever-popular Waterside did not have the much anticipated crowd on Saturday, the eve of the 26th Day.

“Just look here. The Eve of 26th Day in the market is like an ordinary Saturday”, Paul Deway, a seller of imported jeans and slippers said. “This time 26th is not like 26th before; in fact, this looks like the worst to me”, Paul concluded.

Despite the sparsely-crowded Waterside on the Eve of the Independence Day and the hardship associated with the observance and celebration of the Day by many Liberians, others saw a different positive side of the holiday.

Sam Wleh of Vai Town, a civil servant said that he preferred the peace being enjoyed by the country in the midst of ‘no money’ to the situation of ‘plenty money’ but no stability.

“I think personally that the peace and improved stability in the country now are enough for us, though I agree that there is hardship in Liberia now. But this is a global thing. But the peace is important because if you can recall six years ago, we were locked in-doors as politicians fought for power through heavy bombardments here and there”, Sam said retrospectively as he reflected on July 26, 2003 when the entire country was engulfed with war.

Several others said that the refusal of their individual employers to pay them made their Independence Day celebration a boring one.

Among them was Papie Yeakeh of the Freeport community. He said: “Most of the bosses refused to at least give their workers part-payment of their salaries since they said the month has not ended yet. Like in my own case, my boss lady said she couldn’t pay us until the 28th or 29th which is the time we normally get pay”.

Well, others attributed the hardship of the celebration to the fact that all concentrations were in Gbarnga which in term paralyzed all other activities back in the capital.

“But they said ‘All road leads to Gbarnga’. So, all the government officials and business people have all gone there. No way for some of us to even eat from the crumbs of their bread which we depend on always”, said Theophilius Moore of Capitol Bye-Pass.