…Marking First Major Upgrade Since 2019
By Amos Harris
Congo Town, Liberia – April 17, 2025 – In a significant move aimed at modernizing critical government infrastructure and enhancing the working environment for civil servants, the Government of Liberia, through the General Services Agency (GSA), has officially launched a comprehensive $400,000 rehabilitation project for the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (EJS) Ministerial Complex. This marks the first major renovation of the vital government hub since its dedication nearly six years ago, underscoring the Boakai administration’s commitment to improving public sector efficiency and infrastructure.
The official unveiling ceremony, held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, saw GSA Director General Galakpai W. Kortimai announce the ambitious project. He emphasized the critical role of the complex in the nation’s administrative functions and the necessity of the upgrades. “This complex serves as the very nerve center of our government’s operations,” stated DG Kortimai, highlighting its strategic importance. “It is therefore imperative that we undertake this essential rehabilitation to provide it with the much-needed facelift it rightfully deserves.”
The EJS Ministerial Complex, a significant infrastructural contribution from the People’s Republic of China, was constructed at a substantial cost of US$53 million and officially commissioned on July 25, 2019. This sprawling facility currently houses six key government ministries and agencies, including the Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Labor, Gender, Commerce, and the Civil Service Agency, making it a central hub for policy formulation and implementation.
According to DG Kortimai, the planned renovations encompass a comprehensive overhaul of the building’s aging and potentially inefficient plumbing system, significant upgrades to its theatre and various event halls to enhance their functionality and appeal, and a crucial modernization of the diverse utility infrastructures that have experienced deterioration over the years due to consistent use and the passage of time.
He underscored that this significant rehabilitation effort is an integral component of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s broader and ambitious ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. This agenda places a strong emphasis on transforming public infrastructure and optimizing service delivery across all sectors in Liberia, recognizing that a well-functioning government apparatus is essential for national progress.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for his unwavering commitment to the overall national development agenda,” DG Kortimai affirmed. “We also express our deep appreciation to Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan for his crucial support in enabling the GSA to achieve its vital infrastructure goals.” This collaborative approach between key government entities highlights a unified effort towards national development.
DG Kortimai issued a strong caution to the contracted construction companies and their technical teams, emphasizing the critical importance of adhering to high professional standards and ethical work practices. He warned that the entire renovation process would be subject to rigorous monitoring and evaluation to ensure strict compliance with all safety regulations and the highest standards of quality workmanship. “This site is not a place for casual behavior or the consumption of alcohol,” he declared firmly. “We expect nothing less than utmost professionalism, a deep sense of patriotism in contributing to national infrastructure, and strict discipline from everyone involved.”
To facilitate the smooth and efficient execution of these essential renovations, operations within the EJS Ministerial Complex will be temporarily suspended for a defined two-month period. During this time, the GSA’s dedicated Building Maintenance Department, comprising a skilled workforce of over 125 technicians including experienced electricians and plumbers, will remain actively engaged on-site to ensure the continuity of essential services and to expedite the renovation process.
“This $400,000 investment represents far more than just a cosmetic upgrade; it is a tangible recommitment to upholding dignity in the public sector, enhancing operational efficiency, and driving meaningful public sector transformation,” DG Kortimai asserted, emphasizing the long-term benefits of the project.
The EJS Ministerial Complex stands as a prominent symbol of the strong and enduring bilateral relations between Liberia and the People’s Republic of China. It remains one of Liberia’s most significant infrastructural gifts from China, alongside other landmark projects that have contributed significantly to Liberia’s development, including the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Fendell Campus of the University of Liberia, and the recently inaugurated state-of-the-art terminal at Roberts International Airport.
During the complex’s dedication ceremony in 2019, which was graced by the presence of both former President George M. Weah and former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the facility was lauded as a powerful symbol of the robust Sino-Liberian partnership. At that time, the then Public Works Minister, Mabutu Nyenpan, officially confirmed the complex’s US$53 million construction cost and its impressive capacity to accommodate up to 500 individuals within its versatile multipurpose halls.
Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, under whose visionary leadership the project was initiated, eloquently hailed China’s generous contribution as transcending “ordinary bilateral friendship,” underscoring the depth of the relationship. She also passionately encouraged all Liberians to actively participate in maintaining the peace and ensuring the cleanliness and longevity of their national assets, highlighting the importance of national pride and responsibility.
This significant renovation project signifies a renewed and determined focus on the critical principles of sustainability, enhanced accountability in the management of public infrastructure, and the overall modernization of government facilities. This aligns directly with the core objectives of the Boakai-led government’s comprehensive drive to uplift Liberia’s civil service infrastructure, ultimately contributing to more efficient and effective governance and improved service delivery for all Liberians.
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