The Government of Liberia has told its critics that the absence of key public figures, including the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, as well as several other lawmakers who intentionally boycotted the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Monday, January, 27, 2025, is not important once the event was held.
Addressing a press conference Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah said what is required by law is that both Houses of the Legislature must come together in a joint session, form a quorum, and the president should be ready to address them .
He said when that happens, it doesn’t matter who is there as those invited can choose to attend or stay away. It only becomes an issue when both houses are absent, or present, but without a quorum.
He said the absence or presence of any other persons is not important, and those making issues of who were present or not do not have love for the country or interest in the speech.
According to him, during the SONA, a provision of the Constitution of Liberia was met and satisfied, calling on Liberians to be interested in President Boakai living up to what the constitution says, as far as accounting to the people through their representatives.
Minister Piah said significant achievements have been made under President Boakai’s administration, with progress in governance, education, healthcare and infrastructure. He also pointed to the administration’s road construction projects, which aim to enhance connectivity and drive economic development.
The Information Minister said the previous administration failed to build infrastructure including roads; because if it would have done so, the present government would now be focusing on other ways to improve the lives of citizens.
According to him, Boakai’s administration has also made headways in digital transformation, with over 10,000 Liberians trained under the Digital Transformation program across all 15 counties.
Minister Piah said healthcare remains a priority, with achievements including improved maternal and child health outcomes, distribution of essential medicines, and the construction of new health facilities.
He said some key projects include the establishment of the National Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory in Margibi County, and a cardiothoracic center at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital.
