EDITORIAL: OUR EARNEST PLEA: IT IS TIME FOR THE REGULATORS TO REGULATE PROPERLY

LIBERIA’S REGULATORY FRAMEWORK SEEMS to be losing grip – if it does not lost grip completely – significantly due to regulatory institutions lackadaisical and lukewarm approach to implementation regimes or standards. This action only begets utter vulnerability, roominess of the system, and a process that allows agencies and institutions, especially those covered under the education and commerce sector, to not play to the game, but to do it their own setups. Of course, this is an age-old problem that has had very bemoaning downward effects on the economy and even places near- intractable economic conditions on ordinary Liberians.

GOVERNMENTS PAST AND PRESENT have reluctantly pussyfooted on the robust and effective implementation of existing programs and policies that help to address and significantly mitigate this serious governance issues that have generated public dissatisfaction and disapproval. Notwithstanding such a gigantic failure on the part of concerned authorities, what stands out has to do with the essence of having, for example, Ministries of Commerce and Education – two important national parastatals with the sole responsibilities to monitor and regulate the education and commerce of the country, to ensure that learning institutions, private or public, as well as businesses that are engines of economic boom –  do not write their own rules at the detriment of the country and people.

THERE IS TOO MUCH brouhaha about disheartening occurrences in almost all the sectors – occurrences that regulators fully knowledgeable of, but interestingly close blind eyes to. Today, each and every business center in Monrovia, each and every learning center, each and every company operating within the territorial domain of the country plays the system, sets their own rules, their price structures under the unwarranted justifications of “rate going up or buying or importing their goods at higher costs.” There is unceasing mumbling in every nook and corner of the country about the lack of price control, government officials in the pockets in businesses or investors, to the extent that they allow everything to play in their hands while ordinary Liberians bear the harsh brunt.

WITH THE DAWN OF a new year, and considering the petrifying effects of the ineffectiveness of regulatory and monitory bodies of the governance architecture, it is now high times they took a pensively deep review – not cursory – of the entire regulatory framework to be able to make reshape the system.  If it is benefiting for which they continue to demonstrate nonchalant approach, it is affecting the country and citizens in general. This is why we urge President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to turn attention to these entities with the statutory responsibilities to police the different sectors and players to enable them step up their game and change gear, not just for the good of his administration, but the overall benefit of Liberians. He is on record for saying that “working in the public service is not for self-elevation but seeking the wellbeing of citizens,” and the statement will only true have meaning is his officials ensure proper regulation of institutions and entities that provide services to the public.

THERE IS NO ARGUMENT that Liberia and Liberians have been on this rocky, treacherous and torturous road, and have looked up to their leaders to relief them of the burdens but to no avail because of “self-seeking interest. Officials at the Ministries of Education, Commerce and others carry with them the responsibilities of making the country better by ensuring that the rules, the laws, guidelines and regulations are firmly adhered to.

LEST WE FORGET THAT regulations are phenomenal factors in the attainment of set goals, principally to create an oasis that encourages effective administrative and operational stability and development. As a guiding process that allows coherence in the management of institutions and society in general, it also an important asset to governance, as in human and institutional development, as well as a process that ensures rigor monitoring the effective running and maintenance of policies intended to rationalize and streamline human behaviors. It about ensuring accountability and transparency, protecting rights and interest, promoting fairplay and building trust. It creates a stable environment for growth, investment and innovation. Here in Liberia context, effective regulation can boost governance, economy and public service. Anything short of these, Liberia is doomed and it is only Liberians that pay the ultimate price of suffering and poverty. Indeed, the time is now for the regulators to regulate as properly and effectively as possible in order to ease burdens on Liberians. This is our honest and earnest plea.

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.