Opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) standard bearer Mr. Alexander B. Cummings has urged Liberians to demand their officials, including the president, to perform the tasks for which they are paid.
Speaking Wednesday, 30 November 2022 on local broadcaster Kool FM in Paynesville, Mr. argued that President George Manneh Weah’s prolonged absence from the country is unprecedented and cause for concern.
He noted that the president’s absence from the country is in the face of the worst economic conditions and the suffering of the Liberian people.
The CPP leader maintained that services rendered by President Weah, lawmakers and cabinet members are not free.
As such, he suggested that citizens demand them to perform their assigned tasks with diligence and commitment.
During the radio program, Cummings rejected claims by some callers that his persistent lashing out at President Weah and his officials for alleged gross incompetence, ineptitude and corruption meant badmouthing them.
The CPP leader insisted that Liberians must hold their leaders’ feet to the fire. He called on the citizenry to demand a good stewardship in the performances of their leaders’ statutory functions.
He reminded Liberians that their leaders receive compensations from tax payers.
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He claimed that the dismal performance of the president and his officials, compounded by the high level of stealing and wasteful spending, are the direct causes of the extreme suffering and poverty in Liberia.
Cummings lamented that corruption has eroded every fabric of the Liberian society, and undermines every attempt at attracting foreign direct investments badly needed to create jobs, especially for thousands of unemployed youths.
According to him President Weah is staying away from his country while the masses are struggling and suffering.
Mr. Cummings believes that leaders need to set good examples for their followers.
He stated that Liberia will not change by mere talking or wishful thinking, but rather through hard work, sacrifice and doing what is legally right.
The CPP leader has reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the tenets of good governance, vowing to change the country’s intolerable economic environment, and aggressively combat corruption irrespective of who is involved.
He said a CPP government would ensure that civil servants, teachers, security officers, and nurses receive better and improved salaries.
At same time, Cummings assured that a CPP government would impose the full force of the law on anyone involved in corruption.
Cummings said trade and commerce laws and regulations will be simplified for easy compliance and to detect any fraudulent acts in the system.
On the scarcity and rising costs of the nation’s staple food, rice, Mr. Cummings said it was shameful that after 175 years of existence, Liberia is still importing its staple food and far from being self-sufficient in food production to feed its people.
He said a CPP administration will invest heavily in agriculture, remove all restrictions and barriers including monopoly, maintain the free market system, and adopt flexible laws to encourage more Liberians get involved in the importation of rice.
On rehabilitation of disadvantaged youths, Cummings said a CPP government would work and provide financial support to existing organizations and institutions, including Churches with the appropriate programs that assist in rehabilitating youth who abuse drugs and transform them into becoming productive citizens.
On the issue of the CPP and national unity of opposition political parties and leaders, Cummings said CPP is making significant strides in engaging partisans, and mobilizing resources since the breakaway of the Unity Party and All Liberian Party.
He noted that there’s a need for political collaboration to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
The CPP leader called for a credible and reliable biometric system and that the 2022 Census should be conducted with a great degree of integrity.
