The Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia (EFFL) is urging members of the in-coming government transitional team to refrain from conducting business with Weah administration officials who are currently sanctioned for corruption. Doing business with them could create a pathway for impunity before the inauguration, as is the case with many corruption sagas in Liberia; Cynthia Quinisier writes.
Out-going governments usually denounced corruption during their campaign periods but failed to act against the virus the moment they were seated, and justified their failure by Liberia being a small country with many close family ties.
However, the group said, those under sanction, including Finance Minister Samuel Tweah, should never be allowed to attend or be seen at transitional meetings to avoid any possible compromise.
“We are aware of on-going negotiations, including the protection of the CT scan container tracking at the Freeport of Monrovia. The EFFL warns those involved that they will soon be made ashamed and disgraced for an act that undermines the office of the President. H.E. Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai has never approved any such wicked deal, as he is fully aware of the hardship created because of the fake CT scan container-tracking at the Freeport of Monrovia,” the EFFL said in a press release.
“The EFFL reassures the people of Liberia that the days of corporate public service are over because no government official will use his or her office to exploit our country.
“The EFFL is of the conviction that only honorable people should serve in public office with the ultimate goal of improving human conditions. The EFFL does not wish to quell people’s aspirations to become wealthy; rather, it encourages individuals with insatiable appetites for wealth to seek solace in the private sector, where their own profit margins will be determined by the type of enterprise they engage in,” the EFFL release continued.
“The EFFL reaffirms her support for H.E. AmbassadorJoseph N. Boakai’s administration and anticipates a fierce battle against corruption, which has spread like a plague throughout Liberia.
“The EFFL urges the up-coming 55th Legislature to start defending Liberian companies by introducing new legislation or changing current ones in a way that will give Liberian companies an advantage over their international competitors. Due to either a lack of control or inadequate rules, Liberian businesses have long struggled against their overseas competitors,” the release maintained.
According to the EFFL release, the Legislature must be seen working for the people of Liberia and not for foreign interests.
“Meanwhile, the on-going mass mobilization efforts by the EFFL across the country are not only to strengthen our party’s position on the ground, but they’re also intended to hold government officials appointed by the in-coming President accountable. International companies that are undermining their respective agreements with the Government of Liberia (GOL) will see a number of protests by the EFFL across the country when deemed necessary,” the release observed.
“It’s time for Liberians to take ownership of their economy so they won’t have to rely on outsiders or businesses to sustain them.
“You cannot steal our timber, iron ore, diamonds, gold, or other resources without fulfilling your corporate social obligations to our people. Because our leaders in the past continued to ignore our people in favor of foreign corporations that are willing to enable their corruption, we can’t think of more than five prominent Liberian enterprises that are performing well at 176 years old,” the EFFL stated in the press release.
“The conceit of government representatives not supporting Liberian companies stems from their perception that Liberians are not secrecy-obsessed. The EFFL will oppose such wicked ideologies during the duration of the incoming administration.
“Liberia can only be developed by Liberians, and the EFFL aims to spread this belief. We are eager to collaborate with the next government to reverse policies that harmed Liberian companies and were implemented by both the George Weah and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf regimes,” the release added.