Fofana clarified that not every chartered flight the President uses is funded by government’s coffers but a gesture from partners.
Monrovia–Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana has defended the president’s use of chartered flight, saying it’s intended to avoid the many constraints when he uses commercial flights.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)-[email protected]
President Joseph Boakai has come under criticism for repeatedly using chartered flights to attend official functions out of the country, owing to the Unity Party’s criticisms against Ex-Liberian President George Weah while in opposition.
Fofana, addressing reporters, however, justified the president’s decision, saying
“Sometimes flying on chartered flights is out of necessity. It is very important for the president to do when he is traveling to a very important meeting within a relatively short distance.”
Highlighting the constraints that the president had faced in traveling with commercial flights, Fofana added “President Boakai normally stays a couple of hours waiting for a transit flight, something that causes him to be late on several international functions.
“I have been with the President where sometimes the President spent a couple of hours waiting for one plane, in one airport, he sits there waiting to get to his next destination. Sometimes it takes eight hours, sometimes he had to even do a short stay. So, it has been really, really embarrassing at times,” Fofana said.
She also clarified that not every chartered flight the President uses is funded by government’s coffers but a gesture from partners.
The Presidential Press Secretary’s disclosure comes after Montserrado County Senator Darius Dillon, a staunch supporter of the “Rescue” government, publicly apologized for using the private jet propaganda against Weah in 2023.
Appearing as guest of the OK Conversation Monday, Dillon apologized to former President Weah for not knowing the amount of constraints a president undertakes when flying without a private jet.
“As Darius Dillon who campaigned against the use of private jets against former President Weah, I want to publicly apologize to him,” Senator Dillon said.
The Montserrado County Senator added: “We did not understand the constraints, the reasons and the justifications for using private jet by the President of Liberia, we condemned former President Weah.”
Still speaking, Dillon said it’s good to admit when one is wrong so that the person can correct the wrong.
“We see the need and I will say now for the use of private jets by the President of Liberia,” Montserrado County Senator said.
