By Socrates Smythe Saywon
MONROVIA – Exiled Liberian activist Martin K. N. Kollie has sharply criticized Liberia’s political leadership, accusing successive governments of mismanaging more than US$10.4 billion in public expenditure since 2006 without sustainably addressing any of the country’s major challenges.
In a statement released over the weekend, Kollie urged Liberians at home and abroad to reflect on nearly two decades of democratic governance under Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, George Weah, and Joseph Boakai. He argued that despite massive spending, Liberians remain poor and deprived of basic services.
“After 19 years, 7 months, and 15 days, no one can point to a single problem that has been entirely addressed or solved under three successive democratically-elected presidents and governments in post-conflict Liberia,” Kollie said. “The people are still extremely poor and suffering after almost two decades even though over US$10.4 billion was spent through direct budgetary expenditure, excluding off-budget expenditure. Where did this money go? Largely in the pockets and purses of big shots and top brass.”
Kollie listed a wide range of national priorities, including safe drinking water, sanitation, education, healthcare, energy, security, agriculture, justice, rural development, and infrastructure, that he said remain unfulfilled despite the heavy financial outlay. According to him, not a single one of these critical areas has been resolved since Liberia transitioned from war to peace.
He further broke down government spending over the years, citing US$1.8 billion during Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s first term, US$3.4 billion in her second, US$3.5 billion under George Weah, and US$1.6 billion so far under Joseph Boakai, amounting to US$10.48 billion in total direct budgetary expenditure.
“The suffering in Liberia is artificial. It is man-made,” Kollie stated. “It is time for ALL Liberians to reflect because all of us are aging. We are getting older. What will the next generation say about us?”
Kollie, a former student leader and vocal critic of corruption in Liberia, questioned whether President Boakai’s remaining years in office will make any meaningful difference in resolving the country’s deeply rooted problems. He called on citizens to look beyond party politics and demand accountability and transformation.
“Forget about party. This is not about UP, CDC, LP, LPP, NPP, ALCOP, or ALP,” he said. “This is about Liberia. The last gun sound we heard was on August 18, 2003. Since then, we embraced democracy, but what do we have to show for it?”
Kollie concluded by urging national reflection, warning that future generations may judge current leaders and citizens harshly if the cycle of waste and corruption continues unchecked.
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