Piah Defends His Stewardship

By Jamesetta D. Williams

Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, has provided serious defense of his stewardship- the work and progress made at MICAT since he assumed leadership last year.

Addressing MICAT press briefing Tuesday, he also provided wide range of updates on national development initiatives, and clarified several national concerns about ongoing government programs at home and abroad.

Minister Piah highlighted progress made at MICAT since the start of the Boakai administration, disclosing  that he met the Ministry in a “scattered” condition when he took over.

He revealed that employee buses are expected on the compound this week and pointed to ongoing renovations that have significantly improved the work environment.

Providing national updates, he reported that the government is rapidly expanding electricity across the country, connecting communities that had not seen public power for more than 40 years. He referenced his own neighborhood, which had its first stable electricity supply since 1991, noting how improved power access is transforming household living standards.

He also clarified concerns about the electrification of the Robertsfield Highway, stressing that the streetlights currently being installed are connected directly to the national grid.

In the water sector, Minister Piah disclosed that the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation is extending water services across the entire Broadway Belt, with plans to connect 10,000 homes in the first phase of the project.

Addressing public concerns about the Western Cluster concession, the Minister assured the public that the road leading to Bopolu will not be left behind. He reported that a South African group, WBOI, has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding and is conducting a feasibility study that could lead to paving the road up to Bopolu County under a new concession framework.

Minister Piah also commented on the recent cancellation of the Telecom International Alliance (TIA) contract by President Boakai. He disclosed that the House of Representatives held its first public hearing on the de-verification request, during which the GAC, PPCC, and LTA uncovered significant breaches, including the absence of a procurement process, missing contract documentation, and regulatory non-compliance by the company.

Other national updates included the World Bank’s announcement of a US$10 million package to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), along with the Kuwaiti Fund’s renewed commitment to financing the Gbarnga–Mendikorma Highway following a meeting on Monday with Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Ngafuan.

Minister Piah concluded by summarizing recent disciplinary actions taken by the Liberia National Police between October 9 and November 20, 2025, in which several officers were dismissed, suspended, or reprimanded for violating ethical standards, extorting citizens, and compromising cases. He said these measures reflect the LNP’s commitment to accountability and adherence to the rule of law.

The briefing ended with Minister Piah yielding the floor to the Director-General of the Liberia National Fire Service for additional updates.

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.