A walk on the beach side 🐚🌊

Today, we walked again by South Beach. We then ran into our friend, Wassim Charife, who was out for a run. I also made a video: South Beach. 

After South Beach, we walked along Capitol Bye Pass and turned into Carey Street to continue back to Randall Street. 

Central Monrovia is descending into disrepair and neglect. I notice that the streets that were rehabilitated/re-paved in 2011 are full of potholes. While Randall Street, where I live, usually doesn't get over flooded during heavy rains and the water washes away in the gutters, elsewhere, the gutters over flow with rain water and water becomes small ponds and streams in other streets. 

Sewage has been overflowing right smack in the middle of the street right opposite the entrance to Mamba Point Hotel. For weeks now, we notice this sewage. 

Parts of central Monrovia too are overflowing with sewage. 

Many prominent buildings are empty/boarded up or abandoned mid construction from the 70s era. Except for some of the old churches that were established when the settlers first arrived in the late 19th century, other old structures like the True Whig Party headquarters (a magnificent building) remain closed. There is no sign of renovation or revival or, even plans to use it for public use. Very old buildings on Front Street (one of the oldest parts of Monrovia) are in complete disrepair and, literally falling apart. There are some other buildings that were started in the Doe era but then were left unfinished, for instance the Ministry of Defense (in Congo Town) which no longer stands, was torn down (its grounds used for an ebola-treatment triage facility during the 2014-2015 ebola epidemic) and, a new Ministerial complex has been erected by the Chinese (I believe this is part of China Aid, where many infrastructure development was done by the Chinese Government, including a new Fendell LU campus, rehabilitation of Capital buildings on Capitol Bye Pass). There are some other builds which were left unfinished such as the National Savings building on Broad Street. 

Ducor Hotel, which got looted during the war, was never revived despite rumours that some Libyans were going to take over and renovate it. Since the Qaddafi regime fell, these rumours and whispers fell silent. Hotel Africa, in Virginia, has never enjoyed any such rumours. 

The Unity Conference Center in Virginia is more or less intact and, quite an impressive structure. It could be used for all government functions, international conferences. It's grounds should be used for cultural activities. 

Shabbiness, garbage, and slum-like conditions seem to be taking over central Monrovia. It's tragic because this is a historical city, built in the 19th century and, its old buildings should be preserved. 

Many businesses and offices have moved to Sinkor and beyond, because rents continue to be high in the main areas of central Monrovia. The UN agencies moved from Mamba Point to the Pan African Plaza (PAP). I know of several other businesses which moved away, including, let's say the Ecobank head office. 

Government ministries also moved away over over the years and, once the Ministerial complex is inaugurated, central Monrovia is going to be rather empty. 

There should be plans to revive central Monrovia. This should include public buildings, more greenery, cafe's, restaurants, youth centers, and so on.