Expresses Confidence That “The State OfThe Nation Is Stronger” 

PHOTO: Pres. Joseph Boakai giving his State of the Nation Address minutes ago

By Our Reporter

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has just completed delivering third State of the Nation Address (SONA) to the joint session of the Liberian Legislature in the courtyard of the Capitol Building on Capitol Hill, Monrovia as mandated by Article 58 of the country’s constitution.

This year’s SONA again could not be delivered in the Joint Chambers of the Capitol Building due to the December 2025 mysterious fire that gutted that facility.

In a strong tone at the end of his well over one hour address, President Boakai vowed to take immediate, decisive action on a number of things, including review of concession agreements so that the Liberian people can get the best out of their natural resources.

Firs steps, the Liberian leader outlined:

• To do a comprehensive review of concession framework agreements
• As a matter of national honour, to relocate palm grove cemetery on Center Street in central Monrovia
• Restoration of historic public building
• To begin laying out major cities across Liberia in line with decentralization law
• Build on progress made

The Liberian leader’s reference to urgent review of concession agreements regarding the country’s natural resources comes many weeks after a series of public statements by Sinoe County Senator, Crayton Duncan about how the Liberian people are not getting their fair share of their huge natural resources including such as gold, iron ore, diamonds, etc.

In one of his statements carried widely by the local media, Sen. Duncan argued that corruption accounts for only about 20 percent of Liberia’s challenges, while a massive 80 percent stems from the failure of national leaders to hold foreign concessionaires accountable for the exploitation of Liberia’s natural resources.‎

The Sinoe County Senator warned that the existing concession framework—under which companies reportedly pay as little as 30 percent in royalties—grossly undervalues the nation’s wealth and denies Liberians the benefits of their own resources.Sen. Crayton Duncan Says Liberia Faces National Stagnation: Blasts ‘Bogus’ Concession Deals – News Public Trust

In closing his Annual Message, President Boakai called on citizens not to become complacency, cautioning officials of his government that, “leadership is not defined by title of privilege but by humility.”

To citizens, the Chief Executive called on Liberian to commit to moving forward not backward.

Concluding, President Boakai said: “After a year of service, we can say with confidence that the state of the nation is better than past year.”