MONROVIA – Fred T. Sodone, a Human Resource Policy Expert based in the United States of America, is calling for major reforms in Liberia’s real estate sector, urging the country to move away from informal practices and develop a more organized, regulated, and sustainable system.
Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com
In a new policy paper released on March 31, Sodone explains that Liberia’s real estate sector has for many years operated without strong rules and proper enforcement.
He notes that this situation has led to frequent land disputes, confusion over ownership, poor land use, and low confidence from investors.
According to the paper, one of the biggest problems in the sector is the lack of a clear and strong system to manage land and property. Many transactions, he said, are done informally, and in some cases, there are no proper records. This has made it difficult for people to fully trust the system or invest in it.
Sodone believes that the solution is to formalize the sector by putting in place clear laws and institutions that will guide how land and property are managed across the country. He says this will help improve governance, protect buyers and property owners, and attract both local and foreign investors.
A key part of his proposal is the creation of a central authority that will regulate the real estate sector. This institution will be
responsible for licensing real estate professionals, ensuring compliance with laws, and enforcing standards.
He suggests that the government can either establish a new body known as the Liberia Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LRERA) or strengthen the role of the National Housing Authority to carry out these functions.
The paper also highlights the importance of proper urban planning. Sodone points out that many cities, including Monrovia, are growing rapidly without proper layouts or zoning systems.
This has resulted in overcrowding, poor road networks, and inadequate drainage systems. He recommends the introduction of mandatory city planning and zoning laws to ensure that development is well organized.
He further explains that creating designated commercial areas will help businesses grow and make services more accessible. This, he says, will also create jobs and improve economic activities in urban areas.
Another major issue raised in the paper is sanitation. Sodone notes that many commercial buildings do not have proper restroom facilities, which affects public health.
He is calling for strict enforcement of sanitation rules, including making it mandatory for medium and large businesses to provide restrooms. He adds that improving sanitation will help protect the environment and improve the quality of life for citizens.
On the economic side, the paper explains that a well-regulated real estate sector can bring many benefits to Liberia. These include increased government revenue through taxes and more job opportunities, especially in construction and property development.
Sodone also proposes the introduction of a real-time job tracking system to help monitor employment in the sector and support better planning.
The paper also addresses cultural attitudes toward land ownership. According to Sodone, many people prefer to hold onto land for future family use instead of developing it.
He says this practice limits the economic value of land. To address this, he is recommending public awareness campaigns to encourage landowners to develop or invest in their properties.
In addition, the paper talks about the need to balance development between urban and rural areas.
Sodone warns that too many people are moving to cities, which is putting pressure on infrastructure and basic services. He suggests that the government should invest more in rural and peri-urban areas to create opportunities and reduce migration to cities.
The policy paper provides several recommendations to guide the transformation of the sector. These include enforcing strict licensing for real estate professionals, developing and implementing national zoning laws, and providing incentives to rebuild abandoned and war-damaged properties.
Other recommendations include enforcing sanitation standards in commercial buildings, introducing a “use-it-or-develop-it” land policy, and digitizing land records to reduce fraud and improve transparency.
The paper also calls for public education on proper land use and increased investment in rural development.
Sodone noted that transforming Liberia’s real estate sector will not happen overnight, but with strong commitment and proper implementation, the country can build a modern system that supports economic growth and improves the lives of its people.
