By Bill W. Cooper
The standard bearer of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), Alexander B. Cummings says Liberia’s election in October is uncertain.
He named the lack of money; government’s inability to pay civil servants in time as well as the untold hardship that had engulfed the society in every sphere adding, “We have some difficult days ahead of our nation, my people.”
“And even worse, we have a President who does not know what to do and does not care that too many people are suffering. He is about to leave the country again for another wasteful travel abroad in the face of the financial mess he and his friends have worsened for our country” Cummings alerted.
However, Cummings said wasteful and irresponsible leader cannot be expected to run a responsible government.
“Leadership matters, my people. This is why a truth is that Liberia is not poor. We are blessed to have a lot of natural resources,” he stressed.
The CPP standard bearer indicated that if there is any “growth” in the Liberian economy, as the government likes to say, ‘it must be in the bellies of corrupt government officials while the ordinary citizens go hungry and continue to suffer.’
He compared Liberia under the leadership of President George M. Weah to an ‘irresponsible’ father who mismanages his earnings and depends on others for survival.
Mr. Cummings, who is also the political leader and founder of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) accused the Liberian leader and his officials of doing nothing to improve and better the lives of the citizenry since his ascendency to the country’s presidency.
He said, “President Weah, since coming to power is running Liberia like an irresponsible father who spends his pay on liquor only to beg his neighbors to feed his family, pay his rent and children school fees.”
“But our people are living in these bad and neglected conditions because our leaders are mostly irresponsible, careless, divisive and wicked. They care only about what they think is their chance to steal too,” Cummings noted yesterday, at a press conference in Monrovia.
According to him, it is well understood that the President, Vice President, Speaker, Senate Pro-Temp and Deputy Speaker are the only five persons that have more money from the budget than money allotted to public schools and hospitals.
He maintained, “But if President Weah had any shame and respect for the Office of President, he would tell the Liberian people sorry, he would sack the ministers, who are responsible for the wickedness against our people, and the President himself will resign.”
“It is one thing to have me talk about the stealing in government, the neglect and suffering of our people, and the irresponsible behavior of our government, but it is very shameful and embarrassing for the presidency and the entire country for strangers to tell us how rotten, corrupt and irresponsible the government is under the leadership of President George Weah,” he added.
“We see corruption in all sectors of the government. Officials who have oversight duty including the Legislature are failing to exercise their responsibility. Those who should be stopping drug trafficking are the ones facilitating and protecting those bringing drugs into our country and selling it in our communities and this needs to stop now,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, Cummings has assured Liberians that a Cummings’ administration will not just fight corruption, but will also fix the country’s economy but not with what he termed as cook up numbers to say the economy is growing while people pay are being cut; while there are no jobs, and children are going to bed hungry.
He added, “We will actually grow the budget and pay people well, and on time. We will create jobs – decent paying jobs too – to restore people’s respect and dignity in their homes and communities, as well provide opportunities for all Liberians to live better lives and to care for their families because this is my area, and I have done it all of my professional life.”
