The Coalitions for Democratic Change has threatened to take unspecified action against the Unity Party government for alleged corruption carried out by the Ministry of Public Works during the 22m road rehabilitation initiative.
However, last week Thursday, Liberia’s Public Works Minister Roland Layfette Giddings clarified that the Ministry has disbursed 8.9 million to the contractors, not the reported 22 million.
He told the plenary of the House of Representatives (HoR), “Per kilometer it was twenty-eight-thousand. When we did that, the Ministry of Finance wrote us and said (to us) they had an amount as an allotment available for us to start (begin) the work. By then, of course, the budget process was still ongoing. The Ministry of Finance asked us to put in a request for what was available. What was available, according to the Ministry of Finance, was 8.9 million to start the first section. As of today, we have only disbursed 8.9 million to the contractors. We have not spent 22 million. It is not truth.”
But speaking during a press conference held Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the headquarters of the CDC, former Deputy Minister for Research and Extension at the Ministry of Agriculture and stalwart of the Coalitions for Democratic Change Alvin Wesseh stated that if the minister of Public Works Roland Lafia Giddings doesn’t account for the 22m road rehabilitation there will be unspecified action against the government.
Wesseh: “We are mobilizing militants to demand accountability for the 22m.
The minister of Public Works must account to the Liberian people what was done with the 22M for the road rehabilitation initiative. With this difficult economy for one person to eat 22m, he must account.”
He added that the CDC would give the Boakai administration the reoccurrence of April 14, 1979, if the government doesn’t provide the basic needs and sustainable food for Liberians across the country.
Meanwhile, the CDC through its assistant secretary for press and propaganda, Mamansae Kabba has June as a militant month. Stating that the month is in celebration of the remarkable commitment of partisans who continue to defend the CDC and its image.
“A month set aside to celebrate the remarkable commitment and heroism of partisans who continue to intellectually defend the CDC and its image. Those who continue to propagate the ideas and philosophy of the CDC at various forums, towns, villages, and every faucet of our societies. This month recognizes and appreciates those firebrand soldiers who continue to selflessly dedicate their all to the growth and development of the party.”
“The CDC therefore admonished all partizan and well-wishers to join the two-day occasion which will be held on from June 28-30,2024 at the party’s headquarters. “Join us from June 28-30,2024 at the national headquarters of the mighty CDC in Congo Town as the mighty District #9 will lock horns with District #6 in the opening fixture of the KICKBALK MATCH while DISTRICT #10 will go against DISTRICT #4 in the FOOTBALL MATCH.”
At the same time, the CDC has accused the Liberia Broadcasting System of allegedly refusing to air the CDC Militant Month jingo.
Stating that the actions of the government not to allow the opposition party to use the state media is anti-democratic and meant to fuel division amongst Liberians.
Meanwhile, speaking to the Women’s Voices Newspaper, the Director General of the Liberia Broadcasting System Eugene Lamin Fagohn has admitted to denying the opposition political party the opportunity to the party’s ginkgo relating to the militant day.
“Yes, I denied them from airing their militant day.” Director Fahgohn stated that the reason for denying the CDC ginkgo is to discourage the use and idea of militancy across the country irrespective of who is involved.
“As Director General, I will not allow or promote any idea of militancy on the radio.
Knowing the history of militancy, I will not reward any group for carrying militants on the University campus to vandalize students.
I will not reward a militant group for beating a university student in front of the US Embassy.
So, if they can edit it and take out the militant idea, I will allow it to be played on the radio.” Fahgohn stated.
