By Bill W. Cooper
The former deputy Director General for Statistics and Data Processing at the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-information Service (LISGIS), G. Alex M. Williams, has alarmed that he and his family have been targeted by some unknown men following his revelations about corruption at LISGIS.
Mr. Alex, in his Facebook post late Wednesday, November 16, 2022 accused his friend identified as Eriah Gbah of being used in the process because Gbah placed a call to his wife on Wednesday morning questioning about his whereabouts.
Recently, President George M. Weah with immediate effect dismissed Mr. Williams and the acting Director General of LISGIS, Wilmot Smith amidst the shaky kickoff of the ongoing National Housing and Population Census which also led him to publicly criticize the government and to expose the ills at LISGIS.
According to the President’s Communication, Smith and Williams were dismissed “for administrative reasons.” The press statement, issued late Monday evening, stated that the two Deputy Director Generals were dismissed for “Negligence of Duty.”
The President’s decision to fire the two LISGIS bosses may have also been triggered by a verbal outburst and tussle on OK FM on Thursday over the conduct of the National Housing and Population Census.
During the radio station’s morning program, LISGIS Acting Boss, Smith, via mobile phone, encouraged citizens to stay at home and be counted by LISGIS enumerators, while Mr. Williams in reaction dismissed the assertions of his Boss and alleged that the entire process was marred by corruption and gross incompetence, which he said undermined the conduct of the census.
But as posted on his official Facebook page, Mr. Williams said, “Dear Liberians and the International Community, please permit me to inform you all that my family and kids’ lives are at risk.”
He further stated, “Our people and the International Community must come in and save them. I did nothing wrong and my family must not be targeted. They are forcing my kids’ mom to show my whereabouts and speak ills about me; otherwise she and the kids will be harmed.”
Williams added, “My own friend Eriah Gbah is being used in this process as he placed a call to her this morning to do so. A few minutes ago she just sent me the text message as seen in the screenshot. Her number is +231775942881 or 0886484861. Please reach out to her now and help save my innocent kids and family life.” Investigation continues.
