MONROVIA – As the reported rigmarole between President George Weah and Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor deepens, former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai is admonishing the pair to work harmoniously in the interest of the country.
Report by Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo, [email protected]
In an exclusive interview with this newspaper on Wednesday, November 29, Ambassador Boakai said such reported confusion undermines peace and security and will instill fears in the citizens.
He further said the two must face the reality that they both need to work together instead of ignoring their respective duties.
“Sometimes people have to face the reality, Jewel is a lawyer and former lawmaker. She knows the role of the Vice President is to preside over the Senate and assist the President.
“I do believe that there is a need for harmony and there is a need for people to see that they are working together. I must admit that the President and I got together very well. She will never say she and I had problem and with all due respect we work together and she respected me because I behave as such.
He disclosed that when served as Vice President under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, he stayed on his lane.
“I knew how to stay in my lane; we work harmoniously. I wish that it is the condition and there is a need to encourage them to do so,” he advised.
Recently, President Weah submitted a bill to the Legislature seeking reduce some of his Vice President’s oversights, including the National Lottery. If the President succeeds this and others will no longer be under the Office of the Vice President.
According to the former Veep, this is not right because it might lead to the usurpation of the functions of the Vice President’s Office.
“Usurping my function never occurred between former President Sirleaf and I, in fact, it was the President, who gave me those responsibilities.”
He said the responsibilities assigned to him were managed effectively all through.
No Dime Received
When asked on the economy, Ambassador Boakai said he is more than feeling the pinch, because he has not received a dime from Government for his pension for the last 11 months since he left the on January 22, 2018.
“You wouldn’t believe that since I left government, I have not received any pension from the government I know it is in the making that is what they are saying.”
Inasmuch as he’s still waiting for that to come in, he spoke of some goodwill from the government when was leaving for a recent medical trip abroad.
“The government supported but I am hearing that the govt is trying to give me what’s due me, but for now I have not received any money yet.”
According to him, he was not the only one feeling the economic pinch. Most of those who had worked with him when he served as Vice President did not have their jobs retained.
“The Government couldn’t absorb all the people who were working with me, so we had to share the burden. I know what they are going through; a lot of people are struggling.”
He continued: “It is multiple struggles everywhere. When the small people are finding it difficult, they always reach out to those they know as big people they see around. So, I have a lot of them to carry, it is a pinch to all of us.”
Change on the Way
The 2017 election campaign slogan for the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) was “Change for Hope.” Ambassador Boakai was asked if he has seen the “change,” he said, change is not an event, and added: “The government is still understanding the situation.”
“They need to understand what the situation is and put themselves together. I believe perhaps they are trying to learn, cope with the situation to see how the change will come about.
“The impact of the change will be felt by the citizens and they are still looking forward to it and I hope it is on the way,” he said.
‘Missing 16 Billion’
On the alleged missing L$16 billion, the former Vice President said usually he likes to properly understand every situation before he speaks.
“I think there is an investigation going on. Let’s wait to see what comes out of before we can begin to speak.”
Some stalwarts of the ruling establishment have accused the former ruling Unity Party of having a hand in the “missing billions.”
However, Amb. Boakai stated that at no time did the Unity Party, which had him as the Standard Bearer, ever benefited from any such money if it were ever available; adding: “The party in power and un-empowered.
“We have a saying around here, when it gets rotten, we will smell it. So, let’s wait for the investigation.”