Liberia loses 30% of national budget to corruption

By Lincoln G. Peters 

One of Liberia’s political parties, Economic Freedom Fighter of Liberia (EFFL) notes here that Liberia continues to lose almost 30% of its national budget to corruption thus, urging the incoming administration of President-elect, Joseph Nyumah Boakai to prosecute officials sanctioned by the United States government for corruption.

Speaking in an interview with this paper via WhatsApp on Wednesday, December 13, EFFL Commander-In-Chief, Emmanuel Gonquoi urged Amb. Boakai, immediately after taking office in January set up a task force to prosecute sanctioned officials under the laws of Liberia.

He says if they are investigated for crime and found not guilty, they should be set free but the fact they have been accused by the American Government they should have their days in court based on the evidence the Liberian government will get from the United States. 

According to him, Liberians should no longer dance to corruption because it has damaged the fabric of the country therefore, it’s time the incoming prosecute them over allegations of corruption.

“We are calling on the incoming government of Amb. Joseph Nyumah Boakai and Senator Jeremiah Koung to immediately prosecute all those sanctioned by the United States Government over allegations of corruption. The country continues to lose almost 30% of its national budget to corruption and so we can’t allow corruption to be a way of life in our country any longer”, Mr. Gonquoi maintains.

He believes this is the only way Liberia will move forward, adding that corruption is very dangerous to any country because it gives opportunity to few and suppresses the majority.

According to the social justice advocate, Liberia has all necessary resources it takes to develop and improve the living standard of its citizens but corruption has subjected the people to extreme poverty and hardship. 

He says Liberians should not be subjected to poverty because few group of people believe that the national cake is their exclusive entitlement. 

“If we can fight corruption, all the people who are imposing their will on us will not have to. Those who are saying that by all means, we should pass gay law before we can get aid, they will not tell us. Also, those that are saying that we should pass lesbian law before we get aid, when we fight corruption all that will not happen”, he argues. 

Commander Gonquoi notes that despite they don’t agree with the United States government in some areas, the party entirely embraced the U.S. anti-corruption fight because Liberia can’t allow corruption and human rights violations to become a way of life. 

He laments that it’s so saddening that during the rainy season, prices of communities rise because of bad road conditions when national government could channel enough resources to building better roads.  

“The time has come for us to put our feet to the ground and fight corruption to the letter. We want Liberians at the end of the day to see the work of their taxes. Those that are sanctioned don’t need any doubt because their actions are demonstrated in the wealth they have acquired over the short period of time. We need them to be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others”, he urges.

On Monday, 11 December the U.S. State Department designated Finance Minister Samuel Tweah, Senators Albert T. Chie and Emmanuel Nuquay, bringing to a total of nine top officials who have been sanctioned so far in the Weah-led regime.

The U.S. has also included on the list of sanctions the immediate family members of Minister Tweah, Senator Chie and Senator Nuquay.

The U.S. State Department said pursuant to Section 7031(c), it has publicly designated the three officials for their alleged involvement in significant corruption by abusing their public positions through soliciting, accepting, and offering bribes.