Former President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Mr. Abraham G. Massaley has cautioned Liberians to tone down their high expectations that the incoming government will aggressively tackle corruption which has permeated deeply into the fabrics of the Liberian society.
“It will require more than pronouncements and goodwill by incoming President Joseph N. Boakai to fight corruption and wasteful spending; these vices, are retarding development and inflicting sufferings on the people, “ Mr Massaley asserted.
Mr. Massaley said since April 12, 1980, Liberia has been entangled in a “political loop of change, euphoria and disappointment”. To break this circle, he said, the country needs a leader who is stern, tough and resolute, with a strong sense of nationalism and patriotism, one who genuinely dedicated to serving the best interest of the people and nation.
“I hope Ambassador Boakai will measure to the task”, he said.
In a dispatch from the United States where he currently resides, Mr. Massaley said, character, change of mind and attitude towards public service, and integrity by “our elected and appointed officials are pivotal to make any meaningful impact on anti-corruption reforms”. “Unfortunately”, he said, “election victory in Liberia is seen as an opportunity to joggle for jobs for personal aggrandizement.”
The former PUL President also said, if incoming President Boakia truly commits to tackling corruption, he will likely face fierce resistance from his own Unity Party and the coalition partners because he said many Liberians see public service as a means of enriching themselves and their families.
Massaley opinioned that corruption has weakened every public institution in the country including the Legislature, the judiciary, the police and anti-corruption agencies believe that; “It is going to require significant arm-twisting by the new President to successfully implement any concrete, concerted and sustained campaign by his administration to hammer corruption and wasteful spending, and not just the president’s benevolence and pronouncements.”
He called for the establishment up of a “Corruption Hotline” for the public and whistleblowers to make confidential or anonymous reports on corruption, bribery, fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in government, and suggested that such call center be managed by a Special Integrity or Oversight Unit on Corruption. This, Mr. Massaley said, can begin with a pilot project and be expanded in phases, based on its successful rollout and implementation.
He further stressed that civil servants need to be paid on time in efforts to curb corruption. Mr. Massaley congratulated the incoming President and wished him well.
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