-Lebanese Businessman Suspected
Accusing fingers are being pointed at Lebanese businessman, Wahee Eid, who has, over the years, tussled with Liberian businessman, Thomas Koenig, popularly known as Jr., for legitimacy over the disputed beach in the Coconut Plantation Community near Mamba Point in Monrovia.
During the respective regimes of Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, George Weah, and now Joseph Boakai, Liberian business owners on the Jr. Beach were subjected to harassment, intimidation and extortion in the hands of agents of the Ministry of Public Works and Monrovia City Corporation allegedly induced by Lebanese businessman, Eid.
On February 16, 2026, agents of the Liberia Land Authority, LLA, marked for demolition, what they said were makeshift structures, on the JR. Beach, urging the occupants and business owners to move or be removed within a period of less than two weeks or pay for the cost of the demolition of their own structures if they remain adamant.
Before this publication, some of the structures, mainly shops, owned by Liberians, were already flattened to the ground, while others may subsequently be demolished if the owners’ pleads, asking the Liberia Land Authority, LLA, to allow them remain on the Beach fall on deaf ears.
The LLA authorities said aside the government’s plan to link the streets to the beaches with support from the European Union, the JR. Beach and other beaches are being used as hubs for drug dealers and users, claims authorities of the JR. Beach have vehemently rebuked.
Mr. Koenig or Jr., has on numerous occasions displayed legal documents, including, government’s tax payment receipts and other legitimate documents to prove his lawful occupation of that part of the beach along the Atlantic Ocean.
He took over the beach nearly twenty five years ago through a squatter right when it was being used as a dumpsite and for opened deification.
Critics of the government, mainly opposition politicians and their supporters, have repeatedly accused it of insensitivity and what they called the wanton demolition of homes and displacement of ordinary citizens. The government has said its actions are backed by law and meant to rid the City of makeshift structures, build roads and open allay and waterways.
Other citizens that spoke to this Paper said while they are not opposed to the Government’s development initiatives, they observed that successive governments, except the opposition CDC government, had over the years, demolished homes and other structures, according to them, for development purposes, but abandoned those sites some of which they observed have turned into dumpsites and urinary.
Meanwhile, like others from the MPW and MCC, there is growing suspicion that LLA’s action on the JR. Beach is also being influenced by Lebanese businessman Eid, who it is alleged, is continuing his bribery spree to grab the beach from the Liberians, who in the midst of harsh economic conditions and limited job opportunities, are eking a living through small businesses.
