By Bill W. Cooper
Grand Gedeh County Senator, Thomas Yaya Nimely, has expressed his growing concerns regarding the performance of President Joseph Boakai’s administration, particularly in relations to the promises made during the 2023 presidential campaign.
With nearly nine months into Boakai’s tenure, Sen. Nimely has highlighted the urgent need for concrete actions on two critical issues ranging from the deteriorating state of the country’s road infrastructure and the escalating drug crisis that is affecting Liberia.
The Grand Gedeh County Senator, who is also a former warlord, has emphasized that the Boakai administration’s failure to address these pressing issues is a significant disappointment to the Liberian people and the country as a whole.
However, Sen. Nimely’s criticisms come amidst the ongoing deplorable state of the country’s major roads precisely the Southeastern region during this rainy season as well as continuous influx of drugs and other illegal substances into Liberia.
During his campaign, one of the fundamental promise that brought the Unity Party (UP) to power was the President’s assurance of ensuring that “in his first 100 days no car would get stuck in the mud” on any major corridor during the rainy.
But that promise has since proven to be unachievable with the country still struggling from bad roads across Monrovia and its environ, while other counties have now been cut off from Monrovia despite the government reportedly spending US$22 million to maintain those roads.
But giving updates during the second opening of the Liberian Senate Tuesday, October 16, 2024, Nimely narrated, “When President Boakai campaigned, he promised a rescue mission for Liberia; a mission that would prioritize the restoration of our roads and the eradication of the drug crisis that has taken root in our communities and entire country.”
The Senator noted, “However, as we stand here today, it is clear that these promises remain unfulfilled, and I can confirm to all of you that many roads across the country remain in disrepair, making transportation difficult and dangerous for citizens. The roads are not just a matter of convenience; they are a matter of life and death.”
“Poor road conditions hinder access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. It is unacceptable that nearly nine months into this administration, we are still grappling with the same issues that have affected us for years,” he frowned.
Citing a specific example of one of the deplorable roads, Nimely named and described his county, Grand Gedeh road corridor as an “embarrassment” due to its impassable nature, particularly during this rainy season, and said, “Rescue Mission has failed to rescue the Country from Bad Road and Drugs.”
“The road from Zwedru to Monrovia is a nightmare. It is riddled with crazy potholes and mudslides, making it nearly impossible for vehicles to pass. This is not just an inconvenience; it is a barrier to progress,” he lamented.
Commenting on the drugs crisis, the Senator further expressed alarm over the rising drug crisis in the country, noting that the prevalence of drug abuse and trafficking has reached alarming levels, particularly among the youth.
“We are witnessing a generation being lost to drugs, and it is heartbreaking. It is time that this government takes immediate action to combat this crisis before it spirals further out of control. Because during the campaign, President Boakai spoke about creating a safer Liberia, free from the grip of drugs and violence. Yet, we have seen little to no action on this front,” he disclosed.
Nimely added, “At this juncture, we need a national strategy that includes prevention, treatment, and law enforcement to tackle this issue head-on, and this is not just a government issue; it is a societal issue that requires a collective response.”
He has at the same time called on the Boakai’s administration to prioritize road rehabilitation and maintenance, urging the government to allocate funds and resources to address the infrastructure crisis.
He further reiterated his commitment to advocating for the needs of his constituents and the broader Liberian population, and assured Liberians saying, “I will continue to raise these issues in the Senate and push for the necessary reforms to improve our roads and address the drug crisis of this country.”
