By Bill W. Cooper
The chairperson of the Opposition four Collaborating Political Party (CPP), Alexander B. Cummings has criticized the recent aircraft launched by President George M. Weah at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) in Margibi County.
Recently, President George M. Weah launched the country’s first postwar aircraft named and styled ‘Lone Start Air’ at the RIA during which he stated that the launch of the aircraft was consistent with his long-held wish, vision and clarion call for Liberia’s place in the international aviation industry; for fair-minded investors to take interest and explore investment opportunities in the country, as the launch was a symbolic one in the absence of the aircraft itself.
But speaking as guest on the Prime Morning Drive on Prime FM in Monrovia, the CPP Chair lamented that it was an abomination and embarrassment on the part of President Weah to have launched an aircraft without it being available for citizens and other foreign nationals to see and know what was really being launched.
Mr. Cummings who was defeated by President Weah in the 2017 Presidential Election indicated that the launch of the aircraft by President Weah was just a mere bluff owing to the fact that he had earlier been advised by his Ghanaian counterpart about the air carrier, noting that it is time for the Liberian leader to prioritize other sectors that would benefit the already struggling masses.
He added that President Weah and his government officials have failed the aspiration and hope of the citizenry within three years of his presidency, naming the increase in corruption, poor health and educational system and incompetent employees in government as some of the problems that have engulfed his administration, stressing that most of the government ministries and agencies have also become extinct under his leadership.
The CPP head however urged President Weah to begin putting his feet on the ground by resuscitating the already fading economy as well as prioritizing other essential sectors for the common good and improvement of the livelihood of the citizenry as promised during his campaign for the 2017 Presidential Election.
Meanwhile, chairman Cummings has also expressed serious concern over the statement made by Nimba County Senator, Prince Y. Johnson linking President George Weah to a third term presidential bid, stating, “Prince Johnson is likely an insider and supported President Weah so we should take heed to his suspicion in terms of what he thinks is going on in the country and we are very much concerned about that.”
Despite the clarification by the Liberian leader’s office through the Minister of State, Nathaniel McGill that President Weah has no intention to contest for a third term, Mr. Cummings insinuated that said pronouncement is an opposite of democracy and must not be given a space in the country’s political setting.
Commenting on the country’s electoral process, he added that it is important to have NEC that is independent, which has the capacity, capability and resources to conduct free fare and transparent election ahead of the December 8 special Senatorial Election. He also frowned on the inadequate level of awareness provided to the public relative to the propositions submitted to be voted upon in the pending National Referendum also slated for December 8.