MONROVIA — The Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) has issued a Documented Situation Report accusing the Unity Party (UP) government of conflict of interest, arbitrary removal of officials from tenure positions, and demanding due process in all developmental initiatives.
On Sunday, July 14, 2024, the LCC released this report, addressing five critical issues that have significantly impacted the country since President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration began.
One key issue highlighted was the protest by aggrieved workers of the Bea Mountain Mining Company in Grand Cape Mount County over alleged labor abuses. The protest resulted in the tragic shooting of five workers by the Liberia National Police (LNP). The LCC criticized the Boakai-Koung government for not setting up an independent investigation into the incident, instead allowing the implicated police force to investigate itself.
“After carrying out an internal investigation, as a Council, we issued a statement and asked President Boakai to institute an independent investigation into these killings on grounds that the police cannot investigate itself because of its role in the protest; our plea didn’t yield any result and the Liberia National Police went ahead and conducted its own investigation and exonerated itself,” the report states.
The LCC condemned the LNP for acting as both player and referee, undermining transparency and fairness in governance. It emphasized that an independent body would have provided objective findings and recommendations to address the workers’ concerns at the concession company.
The Council also criticized the government for delaying or refusing to publish its investigation findings, which it said breeds further tensions among citizens. It added that the government’s provision of $5,000 to the families of the deceased protesters was condemnable and inhumane.
The LCC further emphasized that since the Boakai administration began, those in tenure positions have faced constant harassment and intimidation, with little respect for the rule of law governing these positions. It noted that there are legal clauses stating the removal of tenured officials for cause, but the UP regime has arbitrarily removed people from their positions without due process.
“The Supreme Court ruling on these tenured positions would have brought closure to the debate on tenure but it escalated the debate when the President later discovered cause to remove these individuals from these positions. This, we believe, should have been the first step taken by President Boakai in line with the law,” the report quotes.
The Council underscored the significance of tenure positions worldwide, especially in the public policy school of thought, indicating that it provides a clear understanding of fairness and objectivity. It added that during the later part of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration, the formation of tenure positions became common to strengthen the independence of institutions and uphold good governance.
The LCC also warned the Liberian Legislature against budget manipulations and using the national budget to enrich themselves, terming it a waste of public funds and an abuse of power. It highlighted funds allocated in the national budget for lawmakers’ constituency breaks, retreats, and the purchasing of three vehicles within nine years as examples of corruption.
“This is broad day corruption and it is time our lawmakers see themselves in the mirror of society and offer repentance to the people of Liberia. Public office is not for anyone to enrich themselves, public office is public service, stop abusing our resources that are intended for all Liberians. Liberia is too rich in natural resources for a few to benefit,” the LCC urged the legislature.
Additionally, the Council criticized the Liberia National Police and the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency for discharging firearms against unarmed citizens. It recounted a recent incident where a child was injured in the Jamaica Road Community during an anti-drug operation and another where a 17-year-old boy was shot and killed by a police officer in the Rehab Community.
The LCC called on national security forces to avoid what it termed uncivilized and barbaric acts and urged the President to launch investigations into these incidents and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The Council also called on President Boakai to investigate reports of corruption at the Ministry of Public Works and the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL). It expressed concern over $22 million intended for road rehabilitation and requested an audit of this expenditure by the General Auditing Commission. The Council also highlighted issues at NOCAL, where collecting fees for board sittings has become common practice, and called for an immediate investigation to ensure transparency.
Furthermore, the LCC urged the 55th Legislature to scrutinize all documents and processes leading to the importation of 285 yellow machines by the Executive Branch to avoid suspicions of corruption. While acknowledging the importance of these machines for national development, it stressed the need to follow procurement laws to maintain transparency.
In conclusion, the Liberia Council of Churches welcomed President Boakai’s initial steps toward establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court in the country to end the culture of impunity. It called on the international community to support the government’s efforts in forming these courts, which will serve as a deterrent to those who believe that violence is the only pathway to solving grievances.
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government to ensure peace and stability in the interest of the citizens.
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