MONROVIA-The Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel McGill has said he was misread on the statement made against corruption in the country.
Speaking in a different context over the past time in Gbarnga, Bong County, he said, the issue of corruption was rife in the country and was totally against any form of it.
He denied justifying corruption in government. His statement was made in Bong County over the weekend when he spoke to a women’s group, saying he was quoted out of context by critics and detractors with a calculated mindset to intentionally misread with negativism.
“Unfortunately, instead of listening, understanding and interpreting the context in which I spoke , they in their usual manner started running with the story that I was justifying corruption when I spoke to the women in Gbarnga who were very appreciative for what this government is doing for the people”, Minister McGill said.
According to him, he detests corruption, saying, he has never supported it and will never ever support it.
Over the past regimes, past leaders have been accused of stealing millions of dollars to invest in other countries. For example, several Liberians are said to have purchased homes in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa among others.
For instance, in Equatorial Guinea, former president William V.S. Tubman was said to have bought an expensive mansion in Malabo. Not only that but also, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was accused by her critics that she bought a duplex in South Africa(where her son Robert Sirleaf is said to be residing currently).
But Minister McGill said, corruption does not build a country, rather it leads to underdevelopment.
“Whole day they are stealing money but even if I am stealing the money and give it to the Liberian people that good thing I am doing because at least, I didn’t steal that money and take it in Europe,” he said it in a context that he was not stealing any funds.
A similar statement was made during the regime of then speaker, Edwin Snowe. At that time, he was quoted as saying that, even if he got money, it was better to develop Liberia than building the economy of other countries.
Minister McGill said over the years, Liberians accused one another of taking money from government’s account to carry out private investment.
“When I come Bong County here and build a house here, they vex. So when I take the money and carry to Ghana, it corrects? But when it is in Bong County that me it for? I will carry it? Ehn I will leave it here? The day God takes me, I will carry it? Ehn when our grandchildren them come here they will say oh.”
His statement was an apparent reaction to many people who were unhappy about his development in Bong County.
But he said he will continue his development in that county despite criticism from many people.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.