Monrovia – Opposition Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) of former Central Bank of Liberia Governor, Dr. Joseph Mills Jones has officially released its political platform to the people of Liberia following the elections in less than a week.
Report by Edwin Genoway – [email protected]
Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah Sr. party chairperson of MOVEE named economic and infrastructural development, empowerment of Liberians; and job creation as the three pillars that will be employed when MOVEE wins in the Octobers’ elections.
The Chairman said a MOVEE led government will focus on the value addition to raw materials that create job opportunities for the Liberian people, encouraging both foreign and domestic investments; understanding that all investors can win in an economy based on policies that promote balanced and inclusive economic growth.
He said that key steps will be put into place by putting Liberians at the center of Liberia’s economic growth and development adding that within the banking sector, there will be no new licensing of commercial banks in Liberia that lack a majority or mass-based Liberian ownership.
“A MOVEE led Government will establish a Guarantee Trust Fund for contract financing.”
“The fund will be used by Liberian-owned businesses that have won contracts which require access to finance to implement such contracts; and He said that the MOVEE when elected will transition Liberia from dual currencies to a single Liberian Dollar currency.
According to him they recognize the many concerns being expressed by the Liberians in relation to the dual currency in circulation as a legal tenders.
“To our Liberian People; your concerns about the issue of both the Liberian dollars and United States Dollars being on the market as legal tenders have been heard loud and clear by the Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE)”.
According to him, they will restructure the tax system, seriously taking into consideration overburdening tax regime which strangulates businesses and investments, put to an end or discontinue any tax process that is not clear which leaves room for individual judgment or discretion and abolish all taxes currently imposed by the government of Liberia on savings.
“This is a minefield for corruption, a MOVEE led government will focus on significant Domestic Resource Mobilization. No economic plan or development agenda can be implemented without resources”.
He went on to say that they would recast the National Budget and cut what he called waste from it.
According to him, the size of the budget has to be significantly increased to meet the development agenda needs of Liberians.
“This will have to come from effectiveness and efficiency in raising domestic resources” he said.
He went on to say that a MOVEE led government will consider the following as part of its effort to effectively and efficiently raise domestic resources aimed at significantly increasing the size of the country’s National Budget for the implementation of its economic plan and development agenda for Liberia.
“We will ensure that the Revenue due the Government of Liberia is collected, Corruption and Graft will be eliminated by A MOVEE led Government” he said.
Speaking of corruption, he said that they will have a zero tolerance policy and strategy for corruption and graft.
“A MOVEE led Government will institute mechanism to ensure a relentless fight aimed at the elimination of corruption and graft in Liberia. As an integral part of its unflinching practical commitment to eliminate corruption and graft; A MOVEE led Government will ensure the following: Instill Integrity in the Government of Liberia;
Establish a Fast-Track court to adjudicate all corruption related cases.
Note that a Fast Track Commercial Court was established; and it is important to stress that the Standard Bearer of MOVEE, Dr. Joseph Mills Jones played a significant role in the establishment of the fast track commercial court; and The Integrity Institutions: Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), the General Auditing Commission (GAC) and the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) will be given the support they need to perform effectively and efficiently.
He said agriculture is one of the sectors that a MOVEE led Government will consider a priority area for attention adding that over the last 12 years, Liberia have continued to be a nation of people who cannot feed itself.
“MOVEE says that regaining Liberia’s place as an exceptional country is possible. This message underlies our motto: Poverty Is Not Our Destiny”.
He said “Our platform is based on these general principles that form the heart and soul of MOVEE.
The Movement for Economic Empowerment (MOVEE) represents the wind of change, putting forth new faces with new ideas and a track record of patriotic performance that continues to positively impact the lives of the Liberian People. We cannot truthfully tell ourselves that we want change and a new direction by recycling old politicians in every election year, as regards both the ruling Unity Party and others under the influence of members of the political class”.
Additionally, he said agriculture production zone program, fisheries sector program, infrastructure development, transportation, improved public services improved delivery of service, healthcare, primary education program, empowerment of our teachers, decentralization, constitutional and electoral reform, education, Youth Development and Academic Empowerment Program Youth Service Corp, Women Economic Empowerment Program, Higher Education Loan Program (HELP), Empowerment of Liberian – Owned Businesses are some of the areas they have planned to focus their attention on.