The Bali Island “New Monrovia” Forgotten …. What Has Become of It Rescue Gov’t?

Former President George Manneh Weah unveiled a grand plan in March 2018 to develop Bali Island located in the Mesurado River into a futuristic urban centerpiece dubbed the "New Monrovia."

The proposal featured a 4,000-seat international conference center to be named after Mahatma Gandhi and funded by the Government of India, alongside skyscrapers, malls, banks, nightlife venues, and more 

By mid-2019, former Liberia’s Information Minister confirmed that India had pledged US$144 million toward the project, and feasibility studies including soil analysis had been completed 

Despite that early promise, actual construction remained absent. The Indian Ambassador acknowledged that while some preliminary work had occurred, specifics were scarce, and delays especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and India’s own constraints had stalled progress 

A tangible development came in November 2022, when the Ministry of Public Works initiated construction of a 3.34 km access road from Battery Factory Junction along the Japan Freeway to Bali Island.

The road is seen as foundational infrastructure enabling further modernization 

Since that road mobilization, there have been no publicly reported updates such as groundbreaking for the conference center, renewed funding announcements, or construction milestones under either the previous or current administration.

As of the latest information available up to August 2025, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s “Rescue Government” has not released official statements or updates clarifying progress or next steps for the Bali Island development project.

While the visionary concept for Bali Island remains on paper with feasibility work completed and an access road underway actual construction of the conference center and associated developments has not yet begun.

The Boakai administration has thus far been silent on advancing the project.

Unless new announcements materialize, Liberians remain without clarity on whether the island will soon be transformed or whether it remains a potential future once more deferred.