Bong County Electoral District #3 Representative, one of the 16 suspended lawmakers at the House of Representatives, has fired at the administration of the Unity Party (UP)- led Government under the stewardship of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
Representative Josiah Melvin Cole, in a combative statement delivered at the induction ceremony of the John Flomo Barkalu Elementary, Junior and Senior High School held Friday, March 21, 2025, claimed he is being a target by this government due to his continued commitment to community development.
“This is why the current government is fighting against me — they cannot match what I have done and continue to do!” “During the George Weah Administration, I paid fees for students, provided loans to market women, launched vocational training programs for both young women and men, donated medications to hospitals, assisted elderly individuals every weekend with their medical needs, supplied zinc and cement to individuals, churches, and institutions, and covered the tuition for over 400 university students,” Rep. Cole said.
Rep. Cole, a staunch member of embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa’s camp, indicted the government of President Boakai for what he described as rampant corruption and misappropriation of public funds.
“All they are doing is stealing money from the national government budget and institutions to build universities, high schools, open farms, and create comfortable homes for themselves and their families! Is this the ‘rescue’ they promised us? The level of corruption in this government is staggering. We need to pray for Liberia, or else they will sell our country right under our noses!”
But in the face of Rep. Cole’s accusation of the government for corruption, the Bong County lawmaker himself had been subject of corruption allegation, as he was accused for diverting US$ 25,000,00 earmarked during the 2020 Fiscal Year for a clinic in his district that did not exist.
Samuel Babajuah, a prominent citizen of Bong County, in response to the lawmaker’s statement, described his (Rep. Cole) tenure under the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) led government as a tenure marred by allegations of corruption, reckless treatment of citizens, and misuse of public funds.
“Cole has been implicated in the flogging of Pastor Banda, Allison Kollie (OIC of Gbonota Clinic), a journalist, and Dr. Mbayo. These acts of violence against citizens are not only unlawful but also inhumane. How can a representative who claims to care for his people engage in such brutality?”
“Funds meant for the Kpayah and Gbondio Clinics were allegedly diverted. Where did these funds go? Why were these clinics not developed as planned? The people of Bong District #3 deserve answers. The $50,000 allocated for the library project has not been accounted for. Where is the library? What was the money used for? This is a clear case of embezzlement,” maintained Mr. Babajuah.
By Emmanuel M. Weedee-Conway
The government needs better structure and overseer that grants the different entities funds as needed vs just giving them free reign. That’s the only way to get accountability for the funds.
It’s just sad that people see what’s needed but so money hungry that they take funds from the people. It’s sad how our country still looks like a war zone with devastating effects. Sad!