By George C. Flomo
MONROVIA – The Minister of Information, Hon. Jerolinmek M. Piah, on Thursday defended the government’s ongoing development programs and criticized what he described as a growing narrative that reduces national progress to food politics rather than long-term infrastructure and socio-economic priorities.
Speaking during the Ministry’s regular press briefing, the Minister outlined updates from the ongoing cabinet performance review held earlier this week and reaffirmed that the administration remains focused on “clear, measurable, and sustainable development outcomes.”
Minister Piah said the cabinet meeting, which featured technical presentations from key sectors, including energy, public works, commerce, health, and justice, was intended to evaluate what has been done, what is ongoing, and what is expected moving forward. He said while many updates were given, the meeting extended into late hours and would reconvene soon for continuation to ensure “a clear picture” of national progress.
Before detailing sector outcomes, Minister Piah strongly addressed what he termed as “a disrespectful public narrative” suggesting that Liberians are only concerned about food and short-term relief rather than long-term national development such as roads, electricity, schools, hospitals, and public infrastructure.
He argued that this perception undermines the intelligence, dignity, and expectations of citizens who, according to him, have proven through elections that they can demand accountability and change leadership when necessary.
Minister Piah referenced a recent aerial image presented by the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) that showed improved nighttime visibility across Monrovia as a result of expanded electricity distribution, contrasting the image with political messaging suggesting Liberians do not care about development.
He cautioned political actors against using rice and small-scale relief as campaign leverage, stressing that the public has matured beyond such tactics.
The MICAT boss also highlighted key cost relief interventions already impacting ordinary citizens. He noted the reduction in the market price of rice from US$20 to US$14, and the decrease in gasoline prices from roughly LRD 1,500 to between LRD 750 and 800 as examples of deliberate efforts to ease financial pressure while development continues. He said public transport support and other market stabilization measures are ongoing as part of improving overall living standards.
Minister Piah then delivered updates from the Ministry of Justice regarding the death of a former manager of the Boulevard Palace Hotel.
He reported that, based on a request by the Ministry of Justice, a formal autopsy was conducted on January 7, 2025, by state pathologist Dr. Benedict Kolu in the presence of law enforcement officers, mortuary staff, and family representatives.
He disclosed that the autopsy concluded the cause of death as suicide. He said the case is now formally closed unless new information emerges that requires further investigation.
In a related update, Minister Piah presented a report from the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), which confirmed that the entity is investigating reports of a hydrocarbon seep in Nevron Town, Grand Bassa County.
The seep sits approximately 7.6 miles inland within the Roberts-Bassa Basin. NOCAL deployed field teams—alongside technical staff from the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company—to conduct geological assessments, soil sampling, historical data review, and surface analysis.
Samples are now undergoing laboratory testing to determine fluid characteristics, source types, and commercial potential, Minister Piah said, emphasizing that the public should refrain from speculation until scientific evaluation is complete.
On infrastructure and employment, Minister Piah presented a comprehensive summary from the Ministry of Public Works showing ongoing construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance activities across the country.
He reported that the Village Access Road Project, supported by the Swedish government and implemented in Bong, Nimba, and Lofa counties, has created 1,543 jobs, including 630 jobs for women and 913 for men, while rehabilitating 199.4 kilometers of community roads.
Additional job numbers include 2,185 jobs created through feeder road maintenance programs, 1,977 jobs from drainage cleaning, 162 jobs under the government-funded Community Gravel Roads Initiative, and 450 jobs linked to the Chinese-funded overpass bridge project. In total, the Ministry of Public Works has generated 14,038 jobs through combined ongoing projects, Minister Piah disclosed.
Further, he reported that major road corridors funded by the Government of Liberia, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and other partners—including ELWA Junction to Parker Paint, Ganta to Yekepa, Gbarnga to Salayea, Ganta to Saclepea, and Saclepea to Tappita—are currently providing 7,679 jobs across 401.2 kilometers of road construction activity.
He added that Public Works has finalized a labor-intensive youth employment model that will soon be implemented nationwide to support the President’s Plan for Youth Empowerment.
Minister Piah concluded despite not all reports were presented due to time, ministries and agencies, but announced major transformation including Youth and Sports, LEC, and others—are advancing development targets aligned with the administration’s agenda.
He assured that the government remains committed to delivering tangible improvements while continuing public reporting to ensure transparency and accountability.