Though President Joseph Nyumah Boakai is waiting on a special committee he constituted to investigate and report back to him how to proceed in removing officials holding tenure positions from the previous regime, Former Finance Minister David Farhat has come to the defend of the President, saying that Mr. Boakai is not in error in replacing tenure officials, especially those from the previous government.
Mr. Farhat argued that tenure positions were created by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, not by law, so President Boakai should have abolished them before nominating new officials into those offices.
By Naneka A. Hoffman
Monrovia, Liberia, February 28, 2024 – As debate over attempt by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to replace officials serving in tenure positions from previous government continues, Former Finance Minister David Farhat has come in defense of the President, saying that President Boakai is not in error to nominate people to tenure positions for the successful running of his government despite resistance by those currently occupying those positions.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The NEW DAWN on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, Mr. Farhat argued that tenure positions were created by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, not by law.
According to him, President Boakai should have abolished those positions before nominating new officials into those offices.
He added that those who are running to the court to seek redress for their removal are wasting their time.
He noted that tenure positions were created by another President and a new President who comes to power has power to maintain or repeal said tenure clauses.
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The Ex-finance Boss during the administration of slain President Samuel Kanyon Doe, is urging the people of Liberia to rather focus on issues that will help improve their lives than engaging in activities that will not help the country and its citizens.
According to him, tenured positions were never enacted into law through a national referendum that requires participation of all citizens.
At the same time he said former President George Weah should consider himself now as an ordinary Liberians and be willing to abide by security protocol set up by government to preserve peace.
His comments were in reaction to allegation Mr. Weah was denied access to Presidential Lounge at the Roberts International Airport, upon his return from abroad on Tuesday, February 27.
However, Mr. Farhat noted that the former President will always be remembered in the history of Liberia for his contribution to the State while he was in power.
“I once served as Finance Minister in this county and I used to travel with Diplomatic Passport in the past but now, I no longer carry Diplomatic Passport because I’m no longer a minister”, he cited.
He cautioned that there is no name for Liberians to be fighting one another for things that will not help improve the country or their lives, noting that there are lots of challenges confronting the people which need to be addressed. Editing by Jonathan Browne
