Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MONROVIA1063
2008-12-29 17:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Monrovia
Cable title:  

LIBERIA: KENDEJA CULTURAL CENTER -- NO PROGRESS

Tags:  EINV ECON OPIC LI 
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VZCZCXRO6225
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHMV #1063 3641738
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 291738Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY MONROVIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0645
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS MONROVIA 001063 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

PLEASE PASS OPIC FOR JAMIE EKERN AND BARBARA GIBIAN

E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV ECON OPIC LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIA: KENDEJA CULTURAL CENTER -- NO PROGRESS

REF A: EKERN-ABBOTT MEMO OF 12/15/08; B) GIBIAN-ABBOTT E-MAIL OF
12/9/08; C) MONROVIA 407

UNCLAS MONROVIA 001063

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

PLEASE PASS OPIC FOR JAMIE EKERN AND BARBARA GIBIAN

E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV ECON OPIC LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIA: KENDEJA CULTURAL CENTER -- NO PROGRESS

REF A: EKERN-ABBOTT MEMO OF 12/15/08; B) GIBIAN-ABBOTT E-MAIL OF
12/9/08; C) MONROVIA 407


1. (SBU) The RLJ Kendeja Hotel construction is proceeding in
anticipation of a March 2009 opening. Ref C reported some of the
controversy surrounding the launch of the project, and Ref B
requested an update on the status of relocation of the displaced
Kendeja cultural center. During a December 16 meeting, the new
Assistant Minister for Culture Isaac Jackson told us the Minister of
Information, Culture and Tourism (MICAT) has said it is a high
priority for the GOL to show progress on the National Cultural
Center, planned for Margibi County (past Monrovia's airport) before
the RLJ Kendeja hotel opens. Former residents of the Kendeja
cultural center and members of the cultural troupe are apparently
still in the area around the hotel, "practicing together." However,
the GOL has made no progress on relocating the cultural center
displaced and it does not sound as if any progress is likely in the
foreseeable future.


2. (SBU) Jackson reported he planned to try to visit the new site
for the proposed cultural center sometime in December to hire people
to "prepare the ground," which he clarified meant to cut the grass.
MICAT then plans to erect a fence around the 50-acre site, and hopes
companies will purchase advertising spots on the fence to provide
MICAT a source of revenue. Jackson, who has been in the job a
month, disclaimed any knowledge of incidents that took place before
his arrival and invited the Minister's chief of staff Norris Tweah
to provide more background.



3. (SBU) Tweah was not sure how much of the money provided by the
RLJ companies had been used to buy land and compensate Kendeja
residents and how much remained unaccounted for. There do not seem
to be any plans to investigate the situation further. MICAT will
not be able to take further steps on the cultural center unless it
receives additional funding. (Note: Liberia's next fiscal year
starts July 1; the next dry season, suitable for construction,
starts about October. End note.)


4. (SBU) Comment: There is a shortage of hotel rooms in Monrovia
and RLJ Kendeja's opening is much anticipated by the business
community. The opening is timed to precede the international
Women's Colloquium that is being hosted by the GOL in early March.
Although the investment encountered the usual range of obstructions
and delays that afflict projects in Liberia, and there are concerns
that the project is running behind schedule. There are as yet no
competing hotels of comparable quality planned. The planned
additional airline service by Delta Airlines, starting next June,
should increase the demand for hotels. Per Ref A, we are not aware
of any potential ties to terrorism, money laundering, corruption,
violations of law associated with the project owners, and do not
anticipate changes in currency convertibility or restrictions in
transferring remittances out of Liberia.


5. (SBU) Comment continued: President Sirleaf envisions the new
cultural center as a nation-building enterprise, drawing students
from each county and reviving a national cultural heritage. That
said, relocation of the cultural center is a contentious issue and
is low on the list of national poverty reduction priorities. The
RLJ Kendeja hotel has created an excellent impression by the jobs it
is creating and the manner in which it treats its employees. It is
likely that good community relations by the hotel (and increasing
employment) will counter lingering resentment over the displaced
cultural center. The hotel, along with RLJ's other investments in
Liberia, provide a vote of confidence and help convince Liberians
their country is, indeed, on the right track.

THOMAS-GREENFIELD