Virginia Waterside, District #17 – Mounting frustration and deep resentment are spreading throughout the Virginia Waterside Mango Town community, as residents voice strong disapproval over what they describe as “terrible” road conditions and an alarming lack of commitment from their elected leaders — Representative Hon. Bernard “DJ Blue” Benson Jr. and Township Commissioner Madam Tankie Dukuly.
For years, residents have endured worsening infrastructure problems, but this rainy season has amplified the crisis. Interviews conducted across the community this week reveal a shared sense of betrayal, with many accusing their leaders of ignoring urgent needs in favor of personal interests, while critical roads have deteriorated into muddy, impassable stretches.
“Our roads are completely damaged. During this rainy season, it’s even worse — pregnant women, students, and regular commuters are all suffering,” lamented community elder Pa Morris, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are watching other communities getting paved roads, streetlights, and drainage systems while we remain stuck in mud and dust. This is beyond neglect — it’s disrespect.”
The growing dissatisfaction is not limited to complaints about poor infrastructure. Several residents have made serious allegations of corruption and misconduct. According to multiple community members, Representative Benson has allegedly accepted what they described as a “brown envelope” — a widely used Liberian term referring to bribes or hush money — to remain silent on urgent local concerns.
“Every time we try to reach him, there’s no positive response. It’s either he’s busy or unavailable,” said a frustrated youth leader. “He’s supposed to represent us at the Capitol, fight for our development, and make our voices heard. Instead, we feel completely abandoned and voiceless.”
Commissioner Tankie Dukuly is also facing heavy criticism. Residents accuse her of prioritizing personal financial gain from Chinese-operated sand mining activities in the area over community welfare. The sand mining industry, which operates close to residential zones, has long been a contentious issue due to its environmental impact, dust pollution, and potential for damaging local roads.
“All she cares about is her regular envelope from the sand mining company,” alleged a local community organizer. “She has the power to demand that they contribute to fixing the roads or investing in community development, but instead, she looks the other way. The township office is silent while the roads fall apart and our living conditions worsen.”
An even more serious accusation has emerged from several residents, who claim that Madam Dukuly is allegedly receiving $5 USD per truckload from the sand mining operations — funds that, according to them, are never used to address community challenges. These allegations, if true, point to deep-rooted corruption and misuse of local resources.
The frustration is now turning into organized action. Fresh TV and VIBES FM correspondent Stephen Johnson reports that community leaders and youth groups are already in discussions to hold a peaceful yet large-scale protest in the coming weeks. The planned demonstration aims to attract national and international attention to what residents describe as “criminal negligence and corruption” by both the representative and the township commissioner.
“Our patience is running out,” warned Pa Morris. “If the government or our leaders don’t act quickly, we will take to the streets. We have been silent for too long, but silence has only brought us more suffering.”
Beyond the protests, residents are calling for urgent intervention from the national government, the Ministry of Public Works, and even international development partners. They argue that waiting for local leadership to deliver results is no longer an option.
The situation has also raised concerns about public safety. Motorbike riders report daily accidents due to deep potholes filled with water, making the roads slippery and dangerous. Parents fear for the safety of their children walking to school, while market women struggle to transport goods, often losing perishable items in the process.
As the rainy season continues, the deteriorating road conditions threaten to cut off parts of the community from nearby markets, schools, and health centers altogether. Residents insist that without immediate repairs, the damage will become even more costly and difficult to fix.
For now, Virginia Waterside and Mango Town remain in a state of anxious waiting — but this time, not in silence. The people say they are prepared to make their grievances heard, both in Monrovia and beyond, until their calls for action are met with real, measurable change.
