Monrovia-President Joseph Nyuma Boakai appears to be getting rigid as a way of stamping his authority and no-nonsense leadership as the clock gradually winds down on his presidency, with one year and two months already elapsed since he assumed office.
Monrovia-President Joseph Nyuma Boakai appears to be getting rigid as a way of stamping his authority and no-nonsense leadership as the clock gradually winds down on his presidency, with one year and two months already elapsed since he assumed office.
Though the President has been showing signs of rigidity since coming to office, Monday’s remonstration with officials on delivering results is said to have signaled his disapproval with their outputs over the past months, while it is seen as a crescendo of his desire for the administration to meet its targets for the Liberian whom he promised “transformation and transparent and accountable leadership.”
The Liberian leader has taken tough measures against his officials including suspension and dismissal for acts incompatible with their status, including the recent suspension of dozens of officials for one month without pay for desecrating his asset declaration ukase.
At Monday’s maiden Cabinet Meeting of the year, President Boakai came out of his shelf, without mincing words in warning and ordering to focus their energies on bearing fruits for the Liberian.
The president was clear that his administration’s ultimate goal and focus is the Liberian people, not preparing for the 2029 presidential elections.
“If your focus is on 2029, you may respectfully resign. My priority is serving the Liberian people, right now,” he accentuated as officials stirred in quietude.
He said national development is the shroud of his governance agenda supported by accountability and urgent reforms.
One important issue the nation has long been grappling with over the years concerning the mysterious deaths of few Liberians during the former regime did not go unnoticed during the red-lettered cabinet meeting.
Stamping his authority on such matter of national significance, the Liberian leader then ordered a full-scale investigations into these unsettled cases of enigmatic deaths.
They include the disappearance of the missing boys, the deaths of several auditors, and other cases of national concern, all of which occurred during the former regime.
What is not clear is his exclusion of similar questionable deaths under his regime.
“The Liberian people deserve answers,” Boakai said firmly. “No case will be ignored as we will bring closure to these tragedies and ensure justice is served.”
President Boakai also ordered expedited investigations by law enforcement agencies in collaboration with international partners if needs be, and provide regular public updates, adding that his administration would not tolerate impunity and is committed to full transparency.
The President urged all stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, government institutions, and civil society organizations, to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigations and the implementation of his directives.
Apart from the investigations, the Liberian chief executive sketched several priority areas requiring immediate action. He named the priority areas as strengthening the economy by closing loopholes and eliminating waste in public spending, accelerating road connectivity projects, especially in the southeastern region, addressing youth unemployment, and enhancing airport security to curb illegal mineral smuggling.
“These are not suggestions, they are mandates,” Boakai told his Cabinet. “The time for talk is over. The Liberian people expect results, and we must deliver.”
But the president’s order for review of all mysterious deaths comes months after the Liberia National Police made similar announcement and even called in people it referred to as persons of interest in the death of former Internal Audit Agency (IAA) boss Emmanuel B. Nyeswah.
Those invited at the time include former Finance Minister, Samuel Tweah, Senator Bill Tweahway of Rivercess, former Health Minister Whelimina Jallah and many others.
The police is yet to make known or public outcomes of these inquiries. Some are questioning the President’s latest call for probe into the alleged missing 16 Billion saga that marred the early part of the former Weah administration has already raised concerns.
International experts brought in by the former government to investigate the issue reported that no money got missing contrary to the widespread claims of missing billions.
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