Paynesville- For 176 years, it has been the same fictive narrative that Liberia has all the potential to be great in Africa. For so long, this potential has remained latent, quite unclear.
By Yawah Y. Jaivey, Willie Tokpah, Webtser Clayeh and Francis Boayue,
Close observers have noted that the country’s economic potential, for instance, is constrained by many structural and systemic issues, including inadequate infrastructure, lack of confidence in local currency valuation and limited capacity to attract foreign investment for the production of finished products.
But at the head of all these is a political leadership that is still finding its feet to govern. As the country turns 177 Friday, rather than rolling out the drums in celebration, Liberians are wearing mournful looks with a disquieting present and uncertain future as companions.
Ordinarily, there should have been much enthusiasm, color and feting to mark the seemingly milestone. Out there on the streets, the gloomy faces, less hoisting of the country’s flag on cars and nonchalant attitude of the majority of the citizens towards the celebration tell the true state of the country.
Many citizens who spoke with FrontPageAfrica jokingly enthused that they wished the Independence Day would never come or could be postponed this year because, according to them, the year has been the worst they have had to live through on account of the unprecedented challenges and high cost of living.
Liberians, in an interview with FrontPageAfrica, have been lamenting the hardships occasioned by this year’s Independence Day celebration:
Varney Teddy Wilson, youth leader and resident of Paynesville: “As we celebrate 177 years as a country, though we have made some strides in youth development, there is still more that needs to be done to mitigate unemployment and drug addictions. We hope that the government can create an avenue for more companies to come and reduce youth unemployment as we wish our country another year of celebration.”
Daniel Davis, Secretary General of Suaka Islam community: “Back in the days when Independence Day was coming, we usually used to see a high momentum but nowadays, the momentum is lacking and everyone is complaining due to hardship and not really looking at the significance of the day. So, our Government really needs to try to improve the livelihood of every Liberian as we celebrate another year of independence.”
Ma Finda Tamba, A mother who is currently unemployed: “This regime is better than the past regime because there are few changes in a short time. The President has dedicated lights at RIA and is paving roads, while machines are coming. But the economy is very poor. We are broke. Parents are not happy, because there is no money to support their children for the season. The lawmakers are taking all the money, nothing for us. People will not be happy to celebrate this season.”
Abigail Miller, Business Woman who was a Supporter of Boakai: “I’m sorry to say that this government is our government, but I’m somehow disappointed because we’re under the rain and sun for the betterment of the future of our children and Mama Liberia. Looking at our present economy, things are difficult for us. We have been doing business before and now see that businesses are not flowing and July 26, celebration last year was much better, but this year is frustrating. Mr. President, we are disappointed in you, because we, the children’s mothers, are yet to buy things for our kids on July 26, because business is not flowing and they are looking up to us.”
“Last year July 26 and this year cannot be comparable, because some of us who had people working in government used to see the light before the day. Bags of rice and oil used to be given to our people to share with us, but this year we are yet to see that. Maybe things will be good before the day, but up till now, we have seen no light. And it’s somehow discouraging from what we are seeing.”
Satta Morris: “Last year July 26 was alright more than this year because things are hard and money business is hard. Last year, things were not hard, but now, even when you have a market, buying is hard and when they don’t buy, how do we buy clothes for our children and food for our children? How will we go to the hospital, especially pregnant women, when we don’t have money, how will we eat? I want the government to bring changes in Liberia. Women should start selling so that when our husbands are working, we can help them and things will not be hard in Liberia.”
Moses Flomo, used clothes seller, Kakata, Margibi County: “The July 26 activities look very bad because what I have observed is that business is not going as before. You bring your market but there are no customers to buy it. So, this first July 26 under President Boakai’s regime is very bad for us; we are not experiencing business, but we experienced the same in former President Weah’s first July 26 celebration. I think business is bad because things are hard and everyone wants to make business”.
Madam Fatu T. Corneh, renowned businesswoman in Kakata, Margibi County: “Nothing good is going on when it comes to business, even when you opened your shop to get the first one thousand dollar a day is not easy and we get taxes on us to pay and school will soon open we get that burden on us. So, we are calling on the government to put things in place for the business community”.
Henry Momo, fashion clothes seller, Kakata, Margibi County: “The first July 26 under President Boakai is not easy. Business is very tough and the US rate is very high – up to 198, 199 (to US$1) and in some areas even 200 for buying rate. This first July 26 no understanding in business. First, I used to come and make $100, $150 but since this papay (Pres. Boakai) got in the chair, no understanding.
Madam Fatu S. Dukuly, groundnut seller, Kakata, Margibi County: “The first July 26 we are not seeing no light yet, the buying is hard. Things are expensive and they say they bring things prices down. The only thing we see the price down is chicken eggs, but the main food like rice and vita are still expensive. We want the government to ensure things prices are down because some get children and this is what we do before we feed our children. The president is fixing roads and that one I cannot say because in the past when we used to send for grand peas it used to take three days but this time when we sent for our goods Friday, especially from Lofa County it can reach just the next day on Saturday.”
Foday N. Massaquoi, Youthful Political Activist: “President Joseph N. Boakai’s Administration’s 1st July 26 Day Celebration honestly, this is the first July in almost 10 years that my parents back home have not called to ask for their 26th. Imagine even my little sisters, who would always want new clothes for Independence Day. This is the magnitude of the reality that has set in. There is no sense of celebration when the economy is collapsing, civil servants have not been paid, citizens have been unlawfully dismissed, there are extrajudicial killings, nepotism is the qualification for jobs, and corruption has become a cabinet minister under the Boakai-Koung administration. Just take a quick look at the basic goods and services today, which suggest and validate my position that Liberians are more focused on getting a meal to eat than celebrating 177 years of poor leadership and limited growth, especially with this current regime that has failed to formulate its development agenda after almost seven months of leadership.”
Wesley Browne, Vendor at Waterside Market: “The independent day season is not good for our business. The same way we can come, it is the same way we can go home. President Boakai needs to cancel the holiday because of no money. We are not happy that our business is getting so bad. Some of us took loans from banks and people are not buying our goods. After the July 26th season, the banks will be chasing after us to get their money back. unfortunately, with the way our business is going slow, we may not have money to pay our debts. That is why we are calling on the President to cancel the holiday’s celebration.”
Gabriel Mulbah, Resident of Sinkor: “This is the first 26th season under the Boakai’s administration and things are hard, no money. The price of every commodity has gone high up. This is not what we voted Boakai into power for. My children have been promoted to another class, as a father, I am supposed to make them happy -like buying them gifts and new clothes to wear on Independence Day, but here I am, finding even food for them is not easy. President Boakai needs to do something about the economy. He should not forget about the bread-and-butter issues.”
