By George C. Flomo
MONROVIA – Unity Party (UP) Chairman Rev. Luther Tarpeh has called on Liberians to exercise patience with the Joseph Nyuma Boakai-led administration, stressing that the government inherited deep national challenges but remains committed to addressing corruption, creating jobs, and improving infrastructure.
Speaking Monday on the Super Morning Show on state radio ELBC, Rev. Tarpeh said the Unity Party will remain fully engaged with the government to ensure it delivers on its promises. He emphasized that while citizens are right to hold leaders accountable, such judgment must be based on the government’s full six-year mandate, not just its first year.
“Judge us after six years, not just one year,” he declared. “We are dealing with a mess we inherited, but we are responsible people. We know what needs to be done for our country, and we will deliver.”
Party and Government Relations
Rev. Tarpeh described the Unity Party as the platform that produced the current government, making it impossible for the party to remain distant or silent. He disclosed that he holds weekly discussions with President Boakai on national issues, assuring partisans and the public that the president remains open and receptive to feedback.
“Anything that creates a problem for the government reflects on the party,” he stated. “We cannot be lackadaisical. The president listens, and we will not sit by when national interests are at stake.”
“Not in Politics to be an Additional Thief”
The UP Chairman maintained that his political journey is rooted in transformation and national service, not personal gain.
“Trust me, I did not come to politics to be an additional thief,” he insisted. “I came with a heart for transformation and the rejuvenation of my country. By God’s grace, I was already well off before I came to politics. I fear nobody. If I see wrongdoing, I will be the first to speak.”
Jobs and the Economy
Addressing economic concerns, Rev. Tarpeh acknowledged widespread frustration over unemployment but underscored the need for Liberia to shift away from over-reliance on government employment and instead build a stronger private sector.
He disclosed that President Boakai has placed job creation at the center of his agenda, holding a special cabinet meeting before traveling to Japan to prioritize strategies for expanding employment opportunities.
“Liberia’s largest employer has always been the government, unlike many African countries that have moved towards the private sector,” he said. “This has trapped us in a cycle where citizens depend on low-paying government jobs. The president is working tirelessly to attract investors, because that’s the only way to diffuse economic pressure.”
Rev. Tarpeh also defended government efforts to fight inflation, curb corruption, and restore international credibility, pointing to the suspension of officials accused of graft and other ongoing reforms.
Roads, Electricity, and Development
Turning to infrastructure, the UP Chairman highlighted progress in road connectivity, particularly in the southeast, as well as improvements in electricity distribution to rural areas.
He recalled the difficulties travelers faced under the previous administration, often having to pass through Côte d’Ivoire to reach Monrovia from southeastern counties.
“That was a shame, a national embarrassment,” he lamented. “Now, I drove from Ganta to Zwedru in three hours. The road is not paved, but it is well maintained, and workers are active along the route. This shows that the JNB government, the Unity Party government, is really working.”
He also cited Rivercess County, where residents now find it easier to commute to and from Monrovia, describing road access as “a huge success.”
On electricity, Rev. Tarpeh praised the gradual expansion of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), saying communities are beginning to experience reliable power that is making both household life and business easier.
Alliance Commitments
Responding to questions about the UP’s collaboration with other political parties, Rev. Tarpeh affirmed that the Unity Party remains faithful to its alliance partners, citing key appointments given to collaborating parties. He further suggested that the party is open to new alliances in the future, even hinting at possible cooperation with opposition figures such as Hon. Musa Bility of the Citizens Movement for Change (CMC) in the 2029 elections.
He boasted of the Unity Party’s long-term potential, saying: “The Unity Party has everything it takes as a political institution to govern this country for the next 100 years.”
Final Appeal
In his concluding remarks, the UP Chairman appealed to Liberians to remain patient as the administration continues to address pressing economic and governance challenges.
“Liberians, we just need to be a little patient. This is not an overnight thing,” he said. “But with the team the president has, I know we are going to deliver.”