Monrovia – The Opposition Congress for the Democratic Change (CDC) has delivered a scathing critique of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA), asserting that Liberia’s democratic and economic progress has eroded under the Unity Party (UP) administration.
On January 27, 2025, President Boakai addressed the 55th National Legislature in a Joint Session, fulfilling his constitutional mandate under Article 58 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution. However, the following day, the CDC held a press conference at its Monrovia headquarters to respond to the president’s assertions.
Nathaniel Farlo McGill, Chair of the CDC Legislative Caucus and Senator of Margibi County, characterized the nation’s state as precarious, claiming that democracy and the economy are in jeopardy. He cited the boycott of Boakai’s SONA by eight Senators, over 25 Representatives, and the Supreme Court bench as evidence of widespread discontent and division.
McGill accused the UP of failing to deliver on campaign promises, leading to confusion and disunity. He highlighted the Unity Party’s inability to reverse the harmonization policy, which he said had been demonized during the campaign, and criticized its handling of drug abuse and rehabilitation efforts.
The senator also rebuked the administration for failing to address Liberia’s deteriorating infrastructure, citing incidents such as vehicles being stuck in mud and a bus catching fire. He criticized the president for using private jets for domestic and international travel, claiming these expenditures reflect poor prioritization.
Addressing economic issues, McGill alleged inaccuracies in Boakai’s claims about revenue and budget management. He questioned the reported surplus of $72.6 million, suggesting it either represents a significant act of corruption or falsehood. Additionally, he dismissed the administration’s claim of a decrease in rice prices, pointing out that prices have increased since the UP took office.
McGill also challenged the administration’s report of removing 6,000 ghost workers from the payroll, arguing that the maximum number of ghost workers could not exceed 1,000. Instead, he claimed, the government has hired approximately 6,000 workers, inflating the payroll by $10 million.
The CDC leader took issue with Boakai’s claim of adding $15 million to increase salaries, arguing that it does not align with the figures in the 2025 budget. He also accused the UP of taking undue credit for the West Point Project, which he said was financed by the Green Climate Fund during former President George Weah’s tenure.
McGill said that the Unity Party inherited a stable economy but has squandered opportunities for growth, a sentiment he claimed is increasingly shared by the Liberian people.
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