The Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism has attributed the poor state and backwardness of Liberia to the effect of brutal corruption in the society. Addressing a press briefing last week, Minister Jerolinmek Piah said most corruptions start at home and permeate entire society to the point where some market women would go to the extent of cutting the size of a cup before using it to measure rice.
He said Liberia is one of the oldest countries blessed with resources but possibly one of the most backward countries in West Africa. “We need to ask ourselves why and there will be many reasons; but there is no doubt that corruption is one of the main reasons,” he said.
He said the corruption fight is an effort that should be embraced by every Liberian, including teachers, to stop taking bribes from students, and ordinary Liberians to stop converting finances that are meant for organizations.
Minister Piah said those who come to government are not angels but the same people from various communities, churches, mosques, among other parts of the larger society.
According to him, for as long as President Joseph Nyumah Boakai is in charge of the country, all of the institutions can do their work fearlessly and go to bed without thinking that someone will come after them.
Minister Piah applauded President Boakai for suspending several government officials over failure to declare their assets, adding that the president was flexible to have given them time but they did not live up to it .
He said the president’s actions show how serious the government is. He however, encouraged the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission to gather sufficient evidence and facts before speaking out about corruption issues.
By Lucky M. McGee
