By Bill W. Cooper
The head of the Boakai Conscious Movement (BCM), Richelieu Burphy, has called on President Joseph Boakai to ensure the auditing of three government agencies, which he said are being used for corrupt practices in his administration.
Those institutions include the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication (MPT).
However, Burphy who was one of the leader soldiers during the Boakai’s campaign, call for transparency and accountability comes in the wake of growing concerns from the public over the government’s commitment to fighting corruption.
Also, his call comes at a time when the country is being confronted with numerous challenges, including infrastructure deficits, disaster preparedness, and communication inefficiencies.
The Unity Party, during opposition life which historically positioned itself as a champion of the people and good governance, is now facing serious pressure to address these pressing issues head-on.
The NDMA, tasked with coordinating disaster response and management, has faced criticism for its perceived ineffectiveness during recent natural disasters and similarly, the MPW has been scrutinized for delays in infrastructure projects, while the MPT has been challenged to improve communication services across the nation.
Addressing a news conference over the weekend, Burphy clarified that his call for an audit of the three institutions is not a mere political motivation, but reflects a broader sentiment among Liberians who are increasingly frustrated with the government in it early days.
Outlining his reasons for urging the President to take action, Burphy noted, “The people of Liberia deserve to know how their resources are being managed. So, an audit of these agencies will not only provide transparency but also restore public trust in our government.”
He also highlighted several key areas of concern that he believes warrant immediate attention, pointing to the NDMA’s handling of recent flooding incidents across the country, where many citizens were left without adequate support.
“We saw families displaced, homes destroyed, and yet the response from the NDMA was slow and inadequate. We need to understand why this happened and how we can prevent it in the future”, he stated.
Burphy turned his attention to the Public Works Ministry, which has been criticized for its failure to complete critical infrastructure projects on time especially the rehabilitation of the Southeastern Road corridor.
“Our roads are in disrepair, and access to basic services is hindered by poor and bad road connectivity from our capital to other counties. So, an audit will help us identify the bottlenecks and ensure that funds allocated for these projects are used effectively.
“And we also need accountability into the alleged US$22 million that was used by Minister Roland Giddings to rehabilitate our major corridors, ensuring the fulfillment of the President’s ‘no car get stuck in the mud’ promise,” he explained.
Burphy pointed out the MPT, which he said has struggled to provide reliable postal services in a country where connectivity is essential for economic growth and social interaction.
“In this digital age, we cannot afford to have a communication system that is outdated and inefficient as such, an audit will shed light on the challenges facing this Ministry and help us find solutions,” Burphy intoned.
He added that he remains steadfast in his advocacy for transparency, adding, “This is not about politics; this is about the future of our country. We cannot afford to be complacent while our people suffer because this government promise to rescue us and it is a must.”
