‘They Must Pay’

-President Weah Vows To Go After Road Funds

By Jackson C. Clay, Jr.

President George Weah has vowed to ensure that everyone responsible for the collection of road funds make available such funds at all cost.

Speaking at program marking the official dedication of the two annexes constructed at the legislature by the People’s Republic of China, President Weah said his government has a single interest in the Liberian people and it would do all it can to protect said interest.

“We were opportune to have the votes of the Liberian people. Our Pro-Poor government has a single interest in the Liberian people. We all know the road funds are important for our roads to be developed. We will take note that everyone that is responsible for the roads to be built will pay that road funds no matter what,” President Weah assured Liberians.

The National Road Fund is an Act of 2016 to facilitate an organized, sustainable system for road and bridge maintenance.

It allows for the direct methodical planning, programming and management of activities related to maintenance of roads and bridges.

The Act also sets the framework for governance and oversight of the road fund, including the approval process for the Annual Road Maintenance Expenditure Program, compiled from projects submitted by organizations authorized to undertake road and bridge works across the country.

Regular systematic, routine and periodic maintenance of roads and bridges will improve mobility within the country, boost economic growth, enable better management of budgetary allotments for road and bridge maintenance, and help ensure that these assets are sustained.

However, it is alleged that since the passage of this Act, some Liberians have been allegedly collecting the funds for those roads across the country.

But President Weah said he has started having conversations with those that are allegedly involved with the funds and as such, he would not rest until they pay said money into government’s coffers.

At the same time, President Weah has revealed that beginning today July 20, 2018, the price of gasoline would be reduced by fourteen cents United States dollars (US$0.14) in the country, thus, he has realized that prices in the country are escalating.

“I have realized that prices are escalating, so I have to do my best to making sure that we scale down the prices in the country. Tomorrow morning, the gas price will be reduced by fourteen cents United States dollars (US$0.14) and we will make sure that it continues to go down,” President Weah disclosed.

He vowed that his government would do all it can to ensure that the U.S exchange rate in the country be dropped at a certain level and calls on all Liberians including the opposition community to join in the fight.

President Weah asserted that if this Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government fails; it is every Liberian who has failed including the opposition community.

“I want to say to my friends on the other side that campaign is over. Let us sing a new song. A song that sees Liberia as one and want to see the growth of the country

Meanwhile, President Weah has cautioned the legislature to take good care of the newly constructed annexes and that it should be used for its intended purposes, thus, expressing heartfelt thanks and appreciations to the People’s Republic of China for such a gesture.