Liberian Government named in Hall of Shame!

Tamba D. Aghailas

October 4, 2006

 

When Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf campaigned for the Liberian presidency, she made numerous promises to the people – to create job security, attract foreign direct investment, provide basic infrastructure, to deliver primary healthcare and education, and to weed out corruption. Looking at the current state of affairs in Liberia, many are pondering at the president’s claim this week that seventy percent of her government’s objectives have been achieved.

 

Breaking the promises

Time and again, promises made by Liberian Politicians are nothing but a distant dream for ordinary Liberians. Instead of providing job security for civil servants, the Johnson-Sirleaf government laid off more people in ten months than any past Liberian government, while the president justified her actions as “right-sizing”.

 

The government budget of 2006-2007 was even more appalling. Civil servants attempted a strike that never materialized to request a salary increase from a proposed meager $29 to $150/month. What they got was a slap in the face - $30/month, while lawmakers and ministers earn a whopping $1500/month with additional allowances for travel, fuel and car maintenance (FORHD report). What a disparity!

 

With the exception of few Liberians returning home to assess the situation for future home repairs, the current security situation in Liberia do not attract the foreign investors the president promised despite her Harvard University connections. Security is provided to only a few privileged people – i.e. government ministers, lawmakers, international non-profit organizations and a handful of wealthy individuals. The rest of the country is at the mercy of gangs and rapists who rule greater Liberia at night.

 

In an ECOWAS audit report published on June 18, 2005, several former and some current government officials were implicated in the embezzlement of state funds and outright abuse of power.

 

Former vice interim chairman, Wesley Johnson, former chairman Gyude Bryant, former minister of commerce Samuel Wlue, former finance minister Lusine Kamara, among others are accused of stealing, falsification of official documents, and misappropriating public funds. President Johnson-Sirleaf still owes the people an explanation as to why the rouges have not been prosecuted.

 

Lawmakers

Making things even worse for the people is the very nature of the composition of lawmakers today in Liberia. Former warlords (those of maimed and raped without remorse) and crooked politicians succeeded in fooling the people that they can deliver the goods and bring about sustainable development to Liberia.

 

Instead of championing bills and/or laws that will benefit the ordinary Liberian, lawmakers are busy cutting deals for themselves with rice importing, rubber, oil exploration, and diamond mining monopolies. The few honest individuals in their midst have encountered stumbling blocks whenever they attempt to change the status quo.

 

Where are the accountability and the development you promised to bring the people? Shame on you too!

 

Back to the status-quo

Speaking of status quo – President Johnson-Sirleaf vowed in her campaign speech to breakaway from the past. Liberia’s past has only been tainted with corruption and human rights abuses, and a total neglect of the downtrodden masses.

 

Her government’s recent actions can only lead a sound mind to think that the Johnson-Sirleaf government is on a mission to reestablishing the old order: An order that has been in place since Liberia’s independence of 1847; an order that favors the few over the majority; an order that creates jobs for the elite group and let the masses fend for themselves; an order that disregards human rights and the rule of law in favor of lawlessness and corruption; an order that is unacceptable to the values and principles Liberia represents.

 

President Johnson-Sirleaf politics only mimic those of most of her predecessors – having great public relations abroad, while starving the people at home. This week, for example, the government claimed to have achieved 70% of its objectives. Absurd, isn’t it!

 

With the exception of Monrovia, what does the government has to show in terms of development in the rest of the fifteen counties of Liberia? The roads network is almost non-existent; the education and health care systems are still in shambles; corruption is still the order of the day; former combatants are without job skills roaming towns and villages. Does the 70% account for the streets lights and public water fountains in Monrovia?

 

How can a sitting President think that whatever the opposition or human rights groups say are attempts to undermine security or her government?

 

Shouldn’t the people have the guts to stand up and express their frustrations at the government’s inability to provide basic services to its people? Shouldn’t human rights groups be allowed to freely document and publish government activities? Shouldn’t the common man, woman and child in Liberia be given a forum to express their needs?

 

It is a shame when a government elected by the people in a mass suffrage attempts to rob the same people of their basic rights. The government should be named for the hall of shame. Shame on you, Liberian politicians!