PHOTO: Archie Sanor want Weah to take the exit door
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
A former stalwart of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) now stern critic of the ruling party has appealed to President George Weah to be begin preparing for an exit strategy, because he has demonstrated his inability to govern the country and serve its people.
Archie Sarnor, a defeated legislative candidate in District 16 in Montserrado County, said President Weah has proven that he lacks the capable leadership to run the affairs in the governance, evident by the prevailing socio-economic and political situation existing in Liberia.
Mr. Sarnor made the appeal when he appeared as a guest at the Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinion on Carey Street in Monrovia on Wednesday.
According to him, if President Weah insists and contests to govern for the second term, the second term of his administration will be characterized with massive unrest, political instability and the country will be heading for a failed state.
Mr. Sarnor argued that since President Weah inception, hardship has increased, a vast majority of the people cannot afford their daily meal and the wealth from the resources is only being shared a handful of people surrounding the corridor of power.
A cross session of audience listening to Mr. Sarnor’s lecture
“As long as you are not singing the songs of praises for the government, you are viewed as an opponent, you are denied job, abused rather than discussing the issues.”
The former legislative candidate maintained that ordinary people are suffering more when the national budget increased from 500 million United States Dollars during the regime of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to 800 United States Dollars under the former soccer star.
“To add insult to injury, there are shortage of money because most of the smaller denominations of the Liberian bank notes are short in circulation.”
“No investment is coming into the country and those who are here, are leaving gradually because they cannot generate the returns from their investment,” he said; adding: “for those who have attempted investing in the country are discouraged because of the huge kickbacks demanded by some officials of the government.”
“Assessment of government institutions have proven there has been poor services because they are either facing challenges or are not funded function well.
Commenting on sanction imposed on three officials of government, he made it clear that the President Weah’s suspension of these officials is not far enough.
Minister of Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel McGill, Solicitor General, Serenus Cephus and National Port Authority Managing Director, Bill Twegbe were suspended following the imposition of sanction by the Unites States.
But, Nathaniel McGill claimed that it was a mistaking identity and those who informed the United States lied on him; while, Counselor Cephus shifted blame on Justice Minister, Musa Dean, because he (Cephus) does negotiate or sign agreement for any concession
Reacting to the denial by Minister McGill, Mr. Sarnor argued that the United States has sophisticated institutions and does not have rely on hear say evidence because they can get what they and when they want it.
“One does not need a rocket scientist to know that these officials of government are corrupt,” he added; noting: “because of their corruption, we are now experiencing a broken economy.”
“Some pro government economists’ claim that the country is experiencing economic growth is comestic because the ordinary people are not feeling the impact, there is no job, people are going to be hungry and poverty is on the increase.”
“The living condition of most of the Liberian people were appreciable when the national budget was 500 million United States Dollars than hardship being experienced when the current budget is at 800 million United States Dollars.”
“Our people are losing hope because our future is doom to fail, sufferings have increased, some are frustrated and the number of people going abnormal are on the increase not because of only drug consumption, but the reality is that some cannot stand the traumas created as a result of the hardship.”
“So, what is the essence of Weah been President?” he asked; adding: “is it to strangulate the nation or make better for all of us?”
“This is not about likeness but to deliver the goods for the state and its people to survive and the economy flourish for our future generation to inherit a state on silver platter.”