LIBERIA: NPP Welcomes Prosecution of Former Officials …But Calls For Holistic Process

The former ruling National Patriotic Party(NPP) has welcomed efforts by the Liberian Government to prosecute former officials of government but is demanding that the process should be holistic and not selective.
NPP Acting National Chairman, Attorney George Mulbah, said any attempt to do pick and choose in the prosecution of former officials of government linked to corruption and shielding others has the propensity to create chaos.

Addressing a press conference in Monrovia on July 30, 2024, Atty. Mulbah reminded President Joseph Boaki of the revolt against the government of President Samuel Kanyon Doe as a result of selective justice during his governance in Liberia.
Atty. Mulbah also encouraged the government to extend its engagement to opposition political parties because he (President Joseph Boakai) is not only the President of the Unity Party and its supporters or Lofa County but Liberians in general
“The NPP is also concern about the concentration of the governance of the country from one region and we need to ensure that qualified people irrespective of their political background, tribal origin and geographical location be given equal rights to appointment in government.”
The NPP Acting National Chairman also warned the government against appointing only individuals from the Unity Party and Lofa County in government.
Commenting on the speech delivered Robtel Payley, the National Orator at the July 26th Independent Day celebration, Atty. Mulbah said Liberians are grateful to the United States for its investment in the restoration of peace in Liberia during the heyday of the Liberian civil war.
He disagreed with the opinion of the independent day national orator assertion of the United States is taking more than what it is giving to Liberia
He expressed concern on recent deployment of soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia during the arrival of former President George Manneh Weah at the Roberts International Airport.
“Let it be made clear that the NPP recognizes the fact that the VIP is for the elected President of this country and only the elected President has the right to use the VIP; but notwithstanding, for the deployment of the soldiers just for the political gathering, we feel that is a threat to the freedom of assembly and democracy,” Atty. Mulbah asserted.
“The AFL under our law can only be deployed outside the barracks based on the expressed approval of the president; so, based on this back ground, we are demanding an explanation for the deployment of soldiers at the RIA.”
On the operation of the Western Cluster, he said: “we are very concern on the back and forth on that company because the government must come clear whether the company is operating illegally or not and give its position on its operation.”
“But, what we have been observing in these few months, today government will suspend or revoke the company’s road user permit and then, the next day, it will lift it.”
According to him, government needs to be firmed in its decision about the Western Cluster and it its position on the operation of the company by making it known to the Liberian people.
As for the 284 yellow machines, Chairman Mulbah endorsed the efforts by the President address the bad road problems in the country but urged him to work with the national legislature in ensuring that the process is done in accordance with the law,
“The bad road challenge requires an urgent attention and we want to urged the members of the legislature to work with the President in ensuring the legal requirements are met.”
“The President may have proceeded wrongly in the acquisition of the machines; but, it is the responsibility of the legislature to work with the executive so that the government can work aggressively on the roads during the dry season.”
“As we speak, people are walking distances to get to their destinations due to the bad roads situation in rural parts in the country.”
On the issues of drugs, Mr. Maulbah said it is almost three months, since the leadership at the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency was at each other throats, and encouraged the government that the issue of the administrator of the agency is addressed