The University of Liberia (UL) Administration on Thursday, October 7, 2021, met with the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Engineering Battalion, the Ministry of Public Works, Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE)  and the General Services Agency (GSA) on the renovation of its four campuses as indicated in the October 1, 2021 Memorandum of Understanding. 

Chaired by UL President Rev. Prof. Dr. Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson, Jr., on UL Capitol Hill Campus, the meeting was held to provide the various institutions an accurate assessment of the tasks and enable them set priorities within the scope of agreed timeline and in consideration of the reopening of school. In a PowerPoint presentation, the Vice President for Administration, Madam Benetta Joko Tarr, laid out the University’s priority targets for the planned renovation. She explained that they include meeting water and sanitation needs, renovation of buildings and rehabilitation of roads, furniture for classes and offices, among others, with an estimated cost at over US$3m.

The AFL Engineering Battalion, LACE, Ministry of Public Works and General Services Agency delegations in separate remarks pledged unflinching commitments and dedication to work with the University of Liberia in carrying out the renovation works on its four campuses. Acting Public Works Minister, Madam Ruth Cooker-Collins said the  renovation exercise will be broken into phases with multiple priorities, each of which would be selectively tackled by one of the implementing institutions involved in the process. LACE Executive Director, Mr. Pepci Quiwu Yeke, advised the team and UL Administration to focus on critical infrastructure that have high utility value to the students who will be returning to the campuses after the weekend. 

The AFL Engineering Battalion at the meeting included its commander, Maj. John Borh Kokulo; First Sergeant Rishino G. Samuels; First Sergeant Ezekiel W. Toe and Engineering Special Sergeant Morgan A. Richards. 

Other representatives of the University of Liberia’s Administration were Atty. Norris L. Tweah, Vice President for University Relations; Mr. John Boimah, Resident Engineer; and Mr. Jefferson Walker, Director of Plant Operation Division (POD).

Technicians from the different institutions agreed to commence their technical assessments on Friday, October 8, 2021 and high priority renovation work is expected to begin this weekend.