“Take Actions, Not Mere Indictments”  -UP Chair Tarpeh Sends Govt. Caveat on Corruption, Drugs

MONROVIA – The National Chairman of the ruling Unity Party, Reverend Luther Tarpeh, has sent out a strong caveat to the standard bearer of his party and president of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, that he should take the corruption battle to the doorsteps of corrupt government officials because the Liberian people are yearning for action against corrupt office, not just mere indictment.

Making the statement Tuesday, January 20, 2025, at the Unity Party’s Broad Street National Headquarter, Chairman Tarpeh called on President Boakai to take more decisive actions against corrupt government officials, especially those that have been indicted by audits reports.

Corruption Chairman Tarpeh said, has long plagued Liberia, undermined development, and eroded public trust; and that the Liberian people elected President Boakai because of his unwavering integrity and determination to combat this menace.

“True to his promise, the President commissioned audits of several government institutions, including the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), the Ministry of State (MOS), and the Executive Protective Services (EPS). The findings of these audits implicated several individuals in mismanagement and corruption at the LTA and CBL.

“Additionally, the President has demonstrated political will by suspending some members of his administration implicated in corrupt practices at some agencies and ministries. The government also took a significant step by indicting former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah and other members of the past government for corruption allegations. This sends a clear message that corruption will no longer be tolerated under this administration. We want to call on all agencies responsible to expeditiously prosecute any government official past and present to penalize corrupt officials without delay. The Liberian people are yearning for action against corrupt officials and not just mere indictment. We call on the judiciary to live to the creed of their oaths to defend the laws of the republic. The fight against corruption requires concerted and collaborative efforts of all principal organs of the national government.

“We also want to call our President. Mr. President, the Unity Party is calling on you Sir to dismiss and prosecute any official caught in the web of corruption. Please pressure the Justice Ministry and other key organs of the government responsible to prosecute corrupt officials. While we commend the government’s efforts in the fight against corruption, we urge you Mr. President to take decisive action on the LTA audit report trumpeted on social media. The report implicates both the suspended commissioners and Acting Chair Abdullah Kamara in the mismanagement of funds allocated for the Digital Transformation Program. To ensure fairness and consistency, we call on you Mr. President to look into this audit report and all those implicated in various audits to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) for further investigation and subsequent prosecution.

“As a party and its alliances, we support your efforts Mr. President in bringing sanity to public service. If you fail to hold your public officials accountable, the Liberian people will not only be disappointed in the mandate given to you, but their hope will be dashed.

“In the same vein, the war against narcotics drugs must intensify. Besides a few efforts here and there, our government must not pay lip service to this fight that is stealing the next generation from us. The ghettos that drugged our children during the regime of CDC are still present everywhere in communities. We call on the DEA to be robust in their fight against narcotics substances intended to damage our children’s future.

“The Unity Party leadership calls on the heads of DEA to be proactive in this fight. We call on all school campuses, community leaders and local government officials to rally citizens across the country to fight this menace. We must treat the drug crisis as a national emergency!

“In the same vein, let me remind our government officials that our honeymoon period with the Liberian people is over. We are demanding answers and solutions now to the social issues confronting the Liberian people.  No more excuses! We call on all government officials to lead well and address the pressing needs of the Liberian people.  We were elected not to shift blame but to provide lasting solutions to things the people care about: employment, good roads, war against drugs, war against corruption,” Chairman Tarpeh said.

“For instance, we must work hard to address the problem of unemployment. Most of our partisans who struggle to bring this government to power are jobless and they are losing patience. They want jobs to put food on the table for their families and to send their children to good schools as well. The ordinary citizens are equally entitled to good hospitals, good education for their children and good well-paid jobs.

“Mr. President, anyone who is not performing diligently must be fired and replaced immediately. It is no more business as usual. The Liberian people want to see action and not mere political promises. So let this be a stern warning to all our government officials that you must perform above and beyond and ensure the ARREST agenda touches the lives of the ordinary citizens. And to you who always foolishly and proudly proclaim, “It is not Unity Party business I am here for. Look at you! If these ordinary people had not worked hard, would you even be considered a minister? Or director. If you denigrate the party that gave you the job, we will take serious political action against you. Do you think we won this election for the enjoyment of you, your family and friends while the main foot soldiers who fought hard to bring President Boakai to power do not even have food to eat?

Highlighting Government’s Achievements

The Unity Party chairman also used the occasion to highlight key achievements of the Boakai administration, in the might of mounting challenges, noting that in 2024, the Boakai government made unprecedented strides in road construction nationwide.

“To date, 50 kilometers of roads have been paved in critical regions, including Nimba, Monrovia, and along the Roberts International Airport (RIA) Highway. Once impassable and forcing citizens to detour through neighboring Ivory Coast, southeastern corridors are now accessible, creating a direct link between the Southeast and the rest of Liberia.

“Similarly, the roads in Lofa County have been significantly improved, reducing travel time and enhancing connectivity. In Montserrado County, massive works are ongoing to upgrade community roads, with the Ministry of Public Works clearing alleyways to facilitate urban accessibility. These achievements are a testament to President Boakai’s visionary leadership and the dedication of the Ministry of Public Works headed by Hon. Roland Giddings.

Stable Prices of Commodities

“The economic landscape has also seen remarkable progress. In 2018, under the previous administration, inflation peaked at 15.4%, and the exchange rate soared to LRD 196 to USD 1. This instability was exacerbated by the infamous $25 million mop-up exercise, which squandered funds that could have fueled development.

“Today, Liberia now enjoys some of the lowest petroleum prices in Africa, ensuring affordability and availability of petroleum products, culminating into stable supplies across the country. For the first time in many years, families in Monrovia and its environs have consistent access to clean water in their homes, eliminating the need for children to wake at unorthodox hours to fetch water. Furthermore, Monrovia’s streets are gradually being cleared of sewage, improving public health and urban sanitation.

Improved Civil Servants’ Salaries

“The Unity Party-led government has taken significant steps to uplift civil servants. Unlike the previous administration’s harmful “harmonization” policy, which reduced salaries and imposed a 10% pro-poor tax to fund personal luxuries, our administration has increased the salaries of 28,200 civil servants, including health workers and security personnel.

“This increment, effective January 2025, marks the beginning of reversing the damage caused by the previous government and restoring dignity to our workforce. Additionally, the government will now cover insurance for 5,000 police officers and has allocated funds in the FY2025 Budget to increase specialist doctors’ and consultants’ earnings by at least $225. These measures reaffirm our commitment to improving the lives of all Liberians.

Unity Party’s Agenda for 2025

“This year, the Unity Party remains steadfast in its commitment to implementing the ARREST Agenda, which prioritizes agriculture, roads, education, sanitation, and tourism. We will focus on raising resources to train our youth, equipping them with the skills necessary to contribute to national development. As we work to improve the lives of all Liberians, we call on our partisans to remain resilient and united in their support of the government’s vision for a prosperous Liberia.

Congratulations to Richard Nagbe Koon

Rev. Tarpeh in closing extended heartfelt congratulations to Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon on his election as Speaker of the House of Representatives, noting that legislative politics is inherently complex, and no one should expect it to be any different in Liberia.

“However, we call on Speaker Koon to lead a process to unite the house and focus on the sacred work of the Liberian. Similarly, we urge all members of the House to set aside all differences and unite behind Speaker Koon to advance the interests of the Liberian people.

“The Unity Party stands ready to collaborate with Speaker Koon to ensure the successful implementation of President Boakai’s legislative agenda. Together, we can achieve great strides in governance, accountability, and development.

Chairman Tarpeh then extended heartfelt condolence to the people of Nimba County for the loss of their hero Senator Prince Y. Johnson whose support gave the victory as a party. 

“As we reflect on our achievements and look ahead, we take due note of your concerns about the slow pace of development in the first year of the Unity Party administration. While we are not here to throw blame and give excuses, it is important to reiterate that when the previous UP administration handed over power to the CDC, the economy was in a better shape, with an improved system of governance. Unfortunately, we had nothing much to build on when President Boakai assumed the presidency from the CDC. As a government committed to the development of Liberia, we reaffirm our pledge to development and your overall happiness. Let us remember that progress is only possible through unity, resilience, and a shared commitment to the greater good. Under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s leadership, Liberia is on an irreversible path to stability, growth, and prosperity.

“The Unity Party remains dedicated to fostering transparency, promoting integrity, and delivering tangible progress for all Liberians. Together, we will build a brighter future for our nation,” he said.