Rep. Barshell: 2022 budget is dubious and demonic

By Lincoln G. Peters 

Montserrado County District #3 Representative Cee-Bee Barshell describes the 2021/2022 national budget that has been passed into as dubious, devilish and demonic characterized by lack of reflection and reasoning in the interest of the Liberian people other than President George Weah and his cronies.

The House of Representatives where Rep. Barshell works as a lawmaker was the first to pass the budget before it was subsequently forwarded to the Senate for concurrence. 

But Barshell thinks the budget is dubious and demonic because it lacks any iota of reasoning for the good of the Liberian people.

Speaking in an interview with this paper on Monday, February 14, 2022, at a local restaurant in Paynesville around ELWA Junction, he said a budget of seven hundred and eighty million does not reflect the will of the people.

“This budget is very demonic and dubious but I’m sorry if I use that word but it’s the right word I think to describe this entire budget. It’s the kind of budget that does not reflect the people but President Weah and his people around him. This budget is just intended to reimburse the CDC technocrats for the 12 years they were in opposition”, he says.

The former ruling Unity Party lawmaker explained that if the budget is crafted in line with the will of the people, then government has the mandate to implement developmental policies for economic growth, but as it is, for now, the budget is just in the interest of the ruling CDC rather the entire country.

Commenting on the national bicentennial celebration, Representative Barshell says he supports the celebration of 200 years of existence as a nation, but government should take the opportunity to reflect and improve the livelihood of its citizens.

He laments that it’s very saddening that Liberians are celebrating 200 years of nationhood but the country still wallops in poverty, corruption, poor electricity, water, educational systems, and health care adding that if government can properly address these concerns and others that anger the people then they will have reason to celebrate.

“I appreciate the proxy of the United States President Joseph Biden that the U.S.A. is willing and ready to help us fight corruption in the society to give our children hope and future. We need to work to curtail corruption in government but the lead has to come from the Executive that has to show the interest and willingness to do so”, he stresses. Editing by Jonathan Browne