MPW Team Arrives in Harper to Assess City Hall Theater and Key Road Projects

April 23, 2026
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By Rocheford T. Gardiner

HARPER, MARYLAND COUNTY – Just one week after a high-level development meeting between Maryland County stakeholders and President Joseph Boakai, facilitated by Senator James P. Biney, a technical team from the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) has arrived in the county to begin critical infrastructure assessments.

The mission focuses on two primary development priorities:

  1. The complete renovation and restoration of the historic Harper City Hall Theater.
  2. The pavement of the Hance Street–New Kru Town road, extending through the Bassa Community.

Restoring a Cultural Icon

Senator James P. Biney, appearing exuberant at his Capitol Building office today, emphasized that Marylanders deserve to reap the benefits of Liberia’s “new dispensation” through substantial, high-impact projects.

MPW team meets with Harper City Mayor A. B. Jackson (photo courtesy of Henry N. Kolenky)

Central to this vision is the Harper City Hall. Once an iconic landmark for all of Liberia, the facility boasted the most sophisticated theater in the country before its destruction during the civil war. At its peak, the theater featured:

  • Central air conditioning and full soundproofing.
  • Electric-powered stage curtains and self-folding seating.
  • A dedicated projector room and integrated tape-recording capabilities for live broadcasts.

“The facility will be renovated, modified, and fully restored,” Senator Biney stated, adding firmly, “Marylanders cannot settle for less.”

Ruins of the once prestigious Harper City Hall (photo courtesy of Henry N. Kolenky)

Shifting from “NGO-Style” Projects to Sustainability

Beyond the theater, the Senator provided updates on several other key initiatives:

  • Water Infrastructure: The pipe-borne water project in Pleebo City is now well advanced. Plans are in place to eventually connect nearby towns, such as Bonike, to the central network.
  • Electrification: Following the recent meeting with President Boakai, a team from the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) is expected in the county shortly to assess the Gedetobo electrification project.

Senator Biney noted that it is time for Maryland to move away from “NGO-style” projects—such as hand pumps and pit latrines—and toward sustainable, modern infrastructure.

“More awareness is needed to shift the minds of the younger generation away from menial endeavors,” Biney remarked, noting that such small-scale projects became the norm only as a result of the devastating civil crisis of the 1990s.

According to MPW sources, the visiting team will remain on the ground to complete feasibility analyses for the first phase of these projects.