MONROVIA: Liberian leader Dr. George Weah has indirectly descended on former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her recent comments regarding reports of missing billions.
Report By Trokon Freeman_trokonfreeman@gmail.com
Former President Sirleaf told the BBC recently that President Weah has put the reputation of the country at stake, questioning his government’s understanding of Liberia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
President Weah speaking upon his return from the UN General Assembly Sunday said it was unfortunate for someone to think he wasn’t aware of the GDP of the country.
President Weah said those who know the GDP could not electrify Doe Community within 12 years.
Weah said he took over a broken economy without knowledge of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, but has succeeded in the reduction of salary of government officials.
He said those who understand the GDP were paying a government official 16,000 United States dollars.
According to President Weah, those who have mastery over the GDP could not connect Monrovia to Sass Town in Grand Kru County with paved road.
The Liberian leader indicated that knowing a GDP of a country is meaningless if such knowledge cannot help in transforming the lives of the people.
The president said it was sad for someone who was helped by others in 12 years to succeed would renege on helping others.
“People saying that we don’t know the trouble we have caused this country. Our government has caused nothing! can you imaging people saying that we do not know the Gross Domestic Product, GDP of this Country, we don’t even know what GDP is; but the GDP they know, 12 years, doe community does not have light, they know the GDP to their finger tip, roads from Monrovia to sass town is non assist. If you know the GDP and can not develop your people, than who are you?
We don’t know GDP, but we were able to cut salary. that how to use your GDP if you know GDP,” said President.
Speaking further, President Weah has disclosed that he refused to affix his signature to the document which sought the printing of the first money while serving in the Liberian Senate.
The president said he believed at the time it was not necessary to print additional money when the country was heading for elections.
President Weah also said he did not sign the resolution which was seeking the printing of the second batch of money.
“And the records on the book that even the first money that was to be printed, I refused to sign. My reason of not signing was not to allow Liberians suffer, but I think it was closed to campaign period and if you want to remove mutilated bank notes from the market, you can not print money when election is at hand and I also refused to sign a resolution for the printing of additional money, after some of the colleagues signed that resolution.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Weah has mentioned that Journalists who made a disclosure of missing billions will form part of the investigation.
He also questioned the possibility of 16 billion dollars going missing.
The president noted that he was embarrassed by questions coming from his colleagues on the missing money saga while attending the UN General Assembly.
‘The fact that Journalists have their right, they must not say things that will undermine the peace of thee Country. Journalists that I have said 16 billion or 9 billions have got missing are needed to join the investigation in helping the find the missing money. We left for the UN Assembly and all my colleagues were asking me about the 16 billion issue, its a shame. You expect me to perform well for you, when you telling the whole world that I stole 16 billion, It is sad.”
The Liberian President spoke during an intercessory service at the Dominion Christian Fellowship Center in Congo Town Sunday.