THE RECENT REVELATIONS surrounding a $10 million project in President Joseph Boakai’s hometown of Foya, Lofa County, have sent shockwaves across Liberia, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability in government. The project’s origins and funding have been shrouded in mystery, with the government initially denying any knowledge of it, only to later admit involvement. This flip-flopping has left many wondering what’s true and what’s not.
THE LACK OF INFORMATION about the project in government budgets and public procurement records has fueled public skepticism. The government’s initial denial of knowledge, followed by conflicting explanations from various ministries, has further eroded trust. The President’s office, Ministry of Public Works, and Ministry of Information all claimed no knowledge of the project, only for the Ministry of Information to later admit it was a joint government and Mano River Union (MRU) initiative. The President himself admitted knowledge of the project, claiming it was an MRU initiative, but would have resisted it if informed initially.
THE CLAIM THAT the project is a joint government and MRU initiative has been met with incredulity, especially since the MRU has no record of the project. Citizens are right to question the government’s motives, given the contradictions and lack of transparency. Some citizens insist that the project is a government of Liberia project, and the explanations provided are attempts to evade public outcry and criticism.
THE ANALYST SHARES the public’s skepticism, viewing the project as a government initiative that prioritizes personal interests over national needs. Investing $10 million in a project amidst widespread poverty and infrastructure deficits is indefensible. The government’s actions appear to be a stark betrayal of its commitment to transparency and accountability.
THE UNITY PARTY’S past criticisms of the CDC over similar issues make this situation even more egregious, smacking of hypocrisy. The party had condemned the CDC for building condominiums, yet here they are, indulging in similar practices. This is outright corruption, and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms.
THE GOVERNMENT, WHICH has pontificated about transparency and accountability, has let the Liberian people down. Its actions speak louder than its words, and what has been demonstrated is a blatant disregard for the principles it claims to uphold. The people were promised a new era of governance, one marked by openness and accountability, but what is being delivered is more of the same old politics of deceit and self-enrichment. This is not what Liberians voted for, and it’s not what they deserve.
WE URGE ALL well-meaning Liberians to join us in condemning this rather shameful act and demanding better from their government. It is time for a change, and it starts with accountability and transparency. What the UP folks have done about this project is totally unfortunate; it is broad-day theft placed under undercover. It betrays its rhetoric of transparency, and makes itself a laughing stock, not to be taken serious. We would implore the government to remember its promise of doing things differently, and Liberians look out to see this not in words but in deeds.