By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Monrovia, Liberia, July 10, 2026 – Former Montserrado County District #4 Representative Restonlym Suacoco Dennis has attributed Monrovia’s persistent sanitation challenges to what she described as policy failures and indiscipline, arguing that the city’s filthy condition continues to negatively affect residents’ livelihoods.
She observed that Monrovia’s sanitation crisis was never solely a Weah-led administration problem, nor is it a Boakai administration problem, arguing that the issue is fundamentally rooted in policy failures and indiscipline.
Dennis made the remarks on July 9, 2026, amid renewed public debate over the state of sanitation in Liberia’s capital.
Monrovia’s sanitation crisis has remained a major national concern, with growing criticism over garbage accumulation, clogged drainage systems, poor waste disposal practices, and the broader impact of urban neglect on the image of the city.
The issue gained renewed attention following former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s description of Monrovia as “filthy,” a comment that sparked backlash from some government officials and supporters of the current administration.
Although President Joseph Nyuma Boakai pushed back against the criticism, arguing that while sanitation challenges remain, Monrovia has recorded improvements compared to previous years, his response triggered further debate over whether the government is fully acknowledging the severity of the problem or defending its performance
Reacting to the debate, former Representative Dennis wrote, “Now we can safely say the filthiness of Monrovia was never a Jefferson Kojee/CDC problem, neither is it
John-Charuk Saah Siafa/UP problem. It’s a policy and indiscipline problem.”
Adding to the discourse, Community-based enterprise (CBE) worker Philip Jallah argued that the condition of some parts of Monrovia threatens Liberia’s international image, discourages investment, and exposes residents to public health risks.
Jallah added that business owners operating in areas affected by poor sanitation have also repeatedly raised concerns about the impact of garbage on customer traffic, public health, and economic activities.
