MONROVIA – In a bid to revive the dilapidated Unity Conference Center Village, located in Virginia just outside of Monrovia, Liberians are calling for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court at the facility.
The residents living in the vicinity of the area believe that repurposing the abandoned complex would not only bring life back to the multimillion-dollar infrastructure but also serve as a fitting venue for court proceedings.
The Unity Conference Center Village, once a symbol of grandeur and prestige site, idly and decaying since its use as the host venue for the Organization of African Unity (OAU) conference in 1979.
Despite its picturesque sea view, the large conference center and several smaller conference rooms have fallen into disrepair, and the adjoining gulf courts and villas have also suffered from neglect.
The Liberian government, which owns the abandoned facilities, has done little to address their state and has allowed them to languish. However, local citizens now see an opportunity to give new life to the complex by suggesting it as a potential host site for the much-anticipated war and economic crimes court.
Advocates argue that rehabilitating the Unity Conference Center Village would not only save the government from the financial burden of constructing a new facility but also provide an ideal location for the court proceedings.
The site’s rich history, along with its large conference center and beautiful sea view, could create a symbolic and significant setting for justice to be served.
Furthermore, residents believe that renovating the gulf courts and villas within the complex could provide suitable accommodation for court staff. With a few upgrades, these buildings could offer comfortable living spaces and convenient proximity to the courtroom.
The call to resurrect the Unity Conference Center Village and its potential use as a venue for the war and economic crimes court has gained significant traction among the local population. Liberians, eager for justice and rebirth, hope that their demands will prompt the government to take action and restore national pride in the once-grand facilities.
As discussions continue, the fate of the Unity Conference Center Village hangs in the balance, representing both an opportunity for rejuvenation and a symbol of the government’s commitment to upholding justice for war crimes and economic offenses committed during Liberia’s tumultuous past; reports Lyndon J. Ponnie, Sr.
